Serial murders: investigation demanded into the release of the suspect

The Liberals are calling for an investigation into the circumstances that led to the release of Abdulla Shaikh, the alleged perpetrator of a series of three murders in Montreal and Laval.

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“We need an investigation to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” says André A. Morin, former chief federal prosecutor for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for the Quebec region and Liberal candidate in Acadie.

The newspaper revealed today that Abdulla Shaikh has been released by the Mental Disorders Review Board (CETM), even though he posed a “significant risk to public safety”. The individual suffered from schizophrenia, but he denied his illness and had a “history of non-adherence to treatment”.

Supervise well

For Mr. Morin, an investigation would notably make it possible to know whether the CETM has sufficient funds to properly assess the individuals who appear before it.

In addition, the Liberals want to ensure that the amounts allocated allow them to be properly supervised once released into society. “Mental health is underfunded,” laments André A. Morin.

Today, the Prime Minister also called for clarification of the circumstances of Abdulla Shaikh’s release.

“I am happy that we are rid of this individual,” said François Legault first. His firm later clarified that it was delighted that the suspect was now “out of harm’s way”.

“You also have to see what happened. Since this is someone who was already targeted, why was he released? Do you need to tighten [les mesures] “, continued Mr. Legault during a brief scrum in Montreal.

Silence from the committee

However, the office of the Minister of Justice ensures that it cannot intervene, because of the independence of the courts.

On the side of the commission, we refuse to say if an investigation or internal verifications will take place surrounding the release of Mr. Shaikh.

At the very end of the day, a communications officer sent an email stating general facts about the CETM, without answering questions.

– With the collaboration of Félix Lacerte-Gauthier, QMI Agency