A man, aged 33, made a virtual appearance at the Montreal courthouse, where he was formally charged with first-degree murder in relation to the death of Leïla Ben Salem, 45, without entering a plea.
Yousef Moussaoui was apprehended by Montreal police in the Ville-Marie borough on Thursday. Despite a plea for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution, Moussaoui will be held in custody until his next court appearance scheduled for December 21.
Authorities have clarified that the incident is not classified as an intimate-partner violence case. The motive behind the murder remains undisclosed but is expected to be revealed during the court proceedings.
The charge of first-degree murder implies that the alleged crime was premeditated and intentional.
Walid Hijazi, a criminal defense attorney in Montreal, emphasized that crucial evidence and details are being safeguarded to maintain the case’s integrity.
Hijazi stated, “While we await the trial, the police, prosecution, and courts aim to preserve the evidence’s integrity and avoid influencing potential jurors and witnesses. Patience is required before specific details emerge.”
Regarding the nature of the relationship between the individuals involved, Hijazi mentioned that the absence of domestic ties does not necessarily indicate they were strangers. He underscored the need for further information to understand the motivations behind the incident.
Although many aspects of the case are still shrouded in mystery, Hijazi noted that the charge of first-degree murder signifies a meticulous process of piecing together the events leading up to the tragic incident.
The victim, Ben Salem, was discovered unresponsive in her downtown Montreal apartment on September 22, prompting a police response. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Ben Salem’s untimely death marks the 19th homicide within the SPVM’s jurisdiction this year.
