A man accused of murdering young Meriem Boundaoui two years ago in Montreal wants to be released pending court proceedings. Aymane Bouadi’s hearing, however, was delayed Thursday by yet another “break in service” at the Montreal courthouse.
The violent death of Meriem Boundaoui shocked Quebec in February 2021. The 15-year-old girl was shot dead while she was in a parked car in the borough of Saint-Léonard. Originally from Algeria, she had come to Quebec to study.
Detained since last June, Aymane Bouadi hopes to regain his freedom during the legal proceedings. The 27-year-old Montrealer faces a charge of first degree murder and four counts of attempted murder. His co-accused, Salim Touaibi, is not targeted by this request and remains detained.
No trial date has yet been set. The trial, which promises to be complex, will probably take place only in 2024. Note that the bar is high for the provisional release of a person accused of first degree murder.
A publication ban prohibits us from revealing details of the motion and evidence presented during the bail hearing. Me Martin Latour and M.e Marylie Côté defend Aymane Bouadi. Me Simon Lapierre represents the public ministry.
The first day of hearings began Thursday with a delay symptomatic of the serious shortage of personnel which afflicts the judicial system. Indeed, the accused was not transported as planned by the correctional officers in the morning. “We have no personnel available to bring him. It’s out of my control,” an officer told Judge Eric Downs.
“It’s a situation that can be called a break in service,” said the judge, adding that he would write to the person responsible for detention.
The Press revealed Thursday that co-accused Salim Touaibi was arrested with a pistol in a restaurant in Griffintown two years before the death of Meriem Boundaoui. “I won’t leave without my lead!” “, had launched the young man frantically looking for his firearm, while the police were in the restaurant.
In this case, Salim Touaibi, alias Aviatar, was found guilty of various charges related to firearms and sentenced to several months in prison.