Warning: Graphic content
A man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a woman who was killed last month while she was in a virtual meeting with a co-worker from her Montreal apartment.
Youcef Moussaoui, 33, appeared by video conference at the Montreal courthouse on Friday where he was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Leila Ben Salem.
Moussaoui’s defence lawyer, Maria Vivas, told reporters outside the courtroom that she doesn’t know the relation between the victim and the accused and that she needs to look at the proof. The accused does not have a criminal record in Quebec.
His next court appearance will be on Dec. 21.
He was taken into custody Thursday afternoon after Montreal police issued a search warrant for his arrest.
On Sept. 22, Ben Salem, 45, was pronounced dead after police were called at 3:25 p.m. to conduct a wellness check at an apartment on René-Lévesque Boulevard, near Saint-Christophe Street in the Ville-Marie borough.
On Thursday, police said in a news release her killing was not in the context of domestic violence.
“The various pieces of evidence gathered during the criminal investigation, including the alleged motive for the murder, will be made public during the legal proceedings,” the release said.
Police said Ben Salem’s death was the 19th homicide in Montreal this year.
Ben Salem worked for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Following her death, several members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, offered their condolences. The CRA and the Union of Taxation Employees also expressed their condolences.
Carney described her as “a valued member of the Canada Revenue Agency, dedicated to serving Canadians, which she was doing at the time of her assault.” He also voiced his support for police “so that the perpetrator of this shameful crime pays the full price.”
