Mounir Boutaa is on trial for the murder of his ex-wife, Chahinez Daoud, who died in 2021 after a history of domestic violence. Despite a restraining order, their relationship resumed, leading to escalating violence. On May 4, Boutaa attacked Chahinez, shooting her and setting her on fire. Investigations revealed significant failures in protective measures and police response, prompting disciplinary actions against officials and legal action from Chahinez’s family against the state.
Trial of Mounir Boutaa for the Murder of Chahinez Daoud
The ex-husband of Chahinez Daoud, who tragically lost her life in a horrific incident in 2021 in Mérignac, is currently facing trial for murder in the Gironde assize court. Mounir Boutaa, now 48, had previously been imprisoned for domestic violence offenses, including strangulation and threats with a weapon, before his release in late 2020.
Failures in Protection and Support Systems
Despite a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Chahinez, their tumultuous relationship resumed, ultimately leading to renewed violence in March 2021. Chahinez, a 31-year-old mother of three, had attempted to seek help by filing a complaint, but the police mishandled her case. She lacked access to a danger alert phone, and her ex-husband was not monitored with a restraining device after his release.
In the months leading up to the tragic event, the situation escalated, as described by the civil parties’ lawyer, Me Julien Plouton. He explained that Chahinez endured ongoing harassment and surveillance from Boutaa. Just days before her death, there seemed to be a brief reprieve, with neighbors noticing her return to a happier demeanor. However, this tranquility was short-lived, leading to a devastating outburst of violence.
On May 4, 2021, Boutaa executed a calculated attack near their family home. He modified his vehicle to discreetly watch Chahinez’s movements before shooting her in the thighs, pouring gasoline over her, and igniting the flames. Eyewitnesses attempted to intervene but were unable to save her. Tragically, Chahinez’s body was discovered nearly unrecognizable, a grim testament to the violence she faced.
During police questioning, Boutaa expressed his intentions, stating he wanted “to burn her” as punishment for perceived wrongs. While he denied wanting to kill her, he acknowledged his desire to inflict pain, claiming he only aimed to scare her. His defense team, however, contends that the act was not premeditated and that psychiatric evaluations indicated a diminished capacity at the time of the crime.
The aftermath of this feminicide revealed systemic failures, leading to an inspection of the circumstances surrounding Boutaa’s release and the police response to Chahinez’s complaints. Investigations uncovered serious lapses in judgment, resulting in disciplinary actions against multiple officials involved, including police leaders who had neglected to report critical information regarding Boutaa’s history of violence. Additionally, Chahinez’s family has pursued legal action against the state for the mishandling of her case.