On March 24, 2025, the trial of Mounir Boutaa, 48, for the brutal murder of his ex-wife Chahinez Daoud, 31, begins in the cour d'assises in Bordeaux, France. This tragic case, which has gripped the nation, exemplifies the severe systems failures in the response to domestic violence reports and the consequences of ignoring warning signs.
The horrific details of Chahinez Daoud's murder are heart-wrenching. On May 4, 2021, Boutaa waited outside Chahinez's home in Mérignac for hours. When she returned from picking up her children, he ambushed her. In a shocking act of violence, he shot her with a rifle in her thighs, then poured gasoline over her and set her on fire, ultimately killing her. This led to widespread public outrage and demands for justice, as well as a reassessment of how domestic violence complaints are addressed by authorities.
Chahinez's story began in 2015 when she met Boutaa in Algeria. Their relationship turned toxic as his jealousy and violence surfaced. In June 2020, she filed a complaint against him for strangulation and threats with a knife, resulting in an 18-month prison sentence for Boutaa—with only nine months served before his release in December 2020. Even after his release, he was banned from contacting Chahinez, yet he continued to threaten her. In March 2021, she filed another complaint that was poorly documented by police, failing to follow up adequately on her case. Tragically, this negligence ultimately cost her life.
Mounir Boutaa is on trial not just for Chahinez’s murder but for digging deep into the patterns of coercive control and violence that marked their lives together. His defense claims he acted without intent to kill, pointing to questions about his mental state at the time of the murder, but prosecutors argue the premeditation is clear, given his prior actions and planning.
An attorney for the family, Me Julien Plouton, emphasized the case's broader implications, stating that it illustrates a harrowing reality many women face regarding domestic violence. "One of the primary issues in this trial will dissect the mechanisms of control this man had over his wife, which culminated in her death," he indicated.
With Chahinez having reported Boutaa’s violent tendencies, questions swirl regarding police actions—or lack thereof. A police investigation revealed profound failures in handling her complaints, with the very officer who mishandled her case having been under suspicion for previous domestic violence issues himself. This tension raises intense scrutiny of law enforcement's ability to protect victims and the systemic issues present in cases of domestic violence.
Following Chahinez’s death, her family has pursued accountability, partly through a lawsuit against the state for their part in failing to protect her. This ongoing legal battle serves as a stark reminder of the systemic issues surrounding gender-based violence and triumphs.”
As this trial unfolds, it will not only determine the fate of Mounir Boutaa but may also shine a light on the necessary improvements required within law enforcement and judicial systems to ensure other women do not suffer similar fates. Chahinez’s parents have made it their mission to advocate for their grandchildren, who are now deprived of their mother, and call for reforms to prevent future tragedies.
The trial is expected to highlight not just the events leading up to Chahinez's murder but also the societal attitudes towards domestic violence. Activists point out that many similar incidents occur behind closed doors and remain unchecked due to societal stigma or a lack of awareness. With this case, there's a chance—albeit a grim one—that justice for Chahinez can prompt a necessary dialogue at national levels regarding protections against domestic violence.
As the court hearings proceed until March 28, 2025, close attention will be paid not only to the verdict but also to the implications for France’s approach toward handling domestic violence and femicides. France has seen an increase in public activism against gender-based violence, a movement that will surely resonate further due to the events surrounding Chahinez Daoud's tragic end.
