A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a federal government employee in downtown Montreal last month.
Youcef Moussaoui was arrested Thursday afternoon in downtown Montreal and is now expected to appear in court Friday to face a charge of first-degree murder, Montreal police said in a statement.
The victim, Leïla Ben Salem, 45, worked for the Canada Revenue Agency. According to reports at the time, she was participating in a virtual meeting with colleagues when she was killed on Sept. 22.
Police found her unresponsive inside an apartment building on René-Lévesque Blvd., near St-Christophe St., following a call requesting a well-being check shortly before 3:30 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the killing was not related to domestic violence. Police have also not disclosed a motive, saying it will be made public during court proceedings.
The killing prompted condolences from Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Carney paid tribute to the “esteemed” public servant at the start of Question Period.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada and, I believe, all the members of this House, I offer our profound condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of Ms. Ben Salem,” he said.