Bordeaux, France – March 28, 2025 – A French court has sentenced 48-year-old Mounir Boutaa to life in prison for the brutal murder of his estranged wife, Chahinez Daoud, in a case that has sparked nationwide outrage and scrutiny of police failures in domestic violence cases.
Boutaa, who stalked, shot, and set Daoud on fire in May 2021, will serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars before a sentencing tribunal determines any possibility of release.
The verdict was handed down on Friday at the Assize Court in Bordeaux, where prosecutor Cécile Kauffman described the killing as an act of “murderous determination to exterminate” Daoud.
“She was not to exist anymore, neither for him nor for others,” Kauffman told the court, emphasizing that the crime had “profoundly affected our entire society.”
A History of Abuse Ignored
Daoud, a 31-year-old Algerian-born mother of three, had previously reported Boutaa for domestic violence. In 2020, he was convicted of choking her and threatening her with a knife but was released from prison later that year.
Despite his history of abuse, authorities failed to provide adequate protection, allowing him to stalk her in the months leading up to the murder.
According to court records, Boutaa used a van to monitor Daoud’s home near Bordeaux following their separation. On May 4, 2021, he ambushed her in broad daylight, shooting her in both legs before dousing her in petrol and setting her alight.
Witnesses described the horrifying scene, recounting how Daoud screamed in agony as flames consumed her. She succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
Justice Served but Questions Remain
The severity of the sentence reflects the brutality of the crime. “It’s an extremely severe sentence in that he has almost no chance of one day leaving detention,” said Anaïs Divot, one of Boutaa’s lawyers.
Julien Plouton, the lawyer representing Daoud’s family, welcomed the verdict, stating that “the sentence takes into account the seriousness of the facts and the personality of the accused.”
Experts who assessed Boutaa described him as “paranoid” with “narcissistic traits” and a “pathologically jealous” manipulator. His defense team argued that he suffered from psychological issues and required medical help, but the court rejected any leniency.
The case has reignited debates over France’s response to femicide and domestic violence. Critics argue that authorities repeatedly failed to protect Daoud, despite clear warning signs.
Women’s rights groups have called for urgent reforms, demanding stricter enforcement of restraining orders and better support for victims.
A Nationwide Call for Action
In recent years, France has faced mounting pressure to combat gender-based violence. More than 100 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners each year in the country, according to official statistics.
The case of Chahinez Daoud is now seen as a symbol of systemic failures in addressing domestic abuse.
As the nation grapples with the tragic loss of yet another victim of femicide, activists and lawmakers are pushing for stronger legal protections to ensure that no other woman suffers the same fate.
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