Femicide in Merignac: Chahinez Daoud (31) burned alive by her husband in the street

Chahinez Daoud
Born: 1990
Burned alive: May 4, 2021
Residence: Mérignac (Gironde)
Origin: Algeria
Children: 3 (3, 7 and 11 years old)
Perpetrator: her husband (44 years old)

A 31-year-old mother of three young children died after being burned alive by her husband in Merignac (Gironde) on Tuesday afternoon.

The husband, who was chasing the young woman, fired several shots into her legs until she collapsed. He then sprayed her with a flammable liquid while she was still alive and set her on fire.

The house where the victim lived partially burned down under undisclosed circumstances. The victim's three children, who usually lived with her, were not home at the time of the crimes.

The 44-year-old man was arrested half an hour later by police in the neighboring town of Pessac. He was carrying "a 12-caliber shotgun, a gas pistol and a belt with cartridges," according to the Bordeaux prosecutor's office.

The man, already convicted of domestic violence, was convinced that the young woman had a lover and wanted to punish her. Although he was forbidden to approach her, he had already attacked her on March 15 in a convenience store near her home.

The prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into homicide by spouse and destruction by fire.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.