On the day that Wiem Haj Amor was sprayed with gasoline and turned into a human torch by her abusive and controlling ex-spouse, she found the strength to rip off some of her clothes while praying to heaven to spare her face.
“I was no longer breathing oxygen … I was only breathing gasoline. I knew I had been burnt … For a moment, I saw my mother and I asked her if my face was affected. I was in pain, I was in pain… ”.
The story told in the courtroom by the victim of Frej Haj Messaoud was blood-curdling.
The young woman had to testify and be plunged back into the hell of what she lived on August 9, 2019 because Haj Messaoud, who pleaded guilty last week to a charge of attempted murder, does not recognize the multiple factors aggravating factors surrounding this story of extreme domestic violence.
Violent and controlling man
The portrayal of her is that of a controlling man who has repeatedly been violent with her. Physically and psychologically.
Separated since 2018, she met a new friend in July 2019 whom she met a few times. A “frequentation” which was not at all accepted by Haj Messaoud who spied on his victim on multiple occasions in the days preceding his mad gesture.
On the evening of the events, while she was leaving her car for shopping, the young woman felt a hand on her mouth then “liquid pouring over her head”. She then understood by smelling the essence that she was in danger.
“When he set the fire, I was holding his hand … I asked him for forgiveness … I told him that I hadn’t done anything … then I let go of his hand, because I was I am told, if I burn and hold him, he will burn with me … I was shouting to him help me, help me … but he ran away, he was not coming back … », a told the survivor, with difficulty restraining the big sobs that shook her frail shoulders.
“My children, they have seen everything … In the hospital, my son was afraid of me … and, even today, they are afraid. They don’t understand why their father did this. They say he’s mean, they have nightmares. For them, Frej is the monster, ”she said, addressing Judge Guy de Blois.
Stigmata
Burned over 30% of her body, Ms. Haj Amar has had many treatments and multiple skin grafts. On her head, neck, arms, sides, thighs, back … and even today, she bears the scars of this horror story on her skin.
“There is only one thing to say: it is not beautiful … I can no longer dress as I want, I always have to hide …”, she testified.
“Throughout our relationship, he attacked my femininity because he wanted to destroy her. Today he succeeded. One day, my daughter will grow up … she is a Canadian. Her father does not accept miniskirts, suspenders … I don’t want her to be a victim one day too, ”added the lady who was very strong throughout her testimony in the context. evidence on sentence.
