Crown prosecutors will call 10 witnesses during a preliminary inquiry for Ibrahim Ali, the man accused of killing 13-year-old Marrisa Shen.

Ali, 28, is accused of first-degree murder in the death of the Burnaby teen, whose body was found in Central Park in July 2017.

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He appeared in B.C. Provincial Court in Vancouver briefly Tuesday morning and listened through an Arabic interpreter as lawyers set dates for his preliminary inquiry – a kind of mini trial to test whether there is enough evidence for him to stand trial in B.C. Supreme Court.

Protesters gather outside B.C. Provincial Court in Vancouver Tuesday morning during a hearing for Ibrahim Ali, the man accused of first-degree murder in 13-year-old Marrisa Shen's death in Burnaby. - Cornelia Naylor

Ali’s lawyer, Troy Anderson, said there are still “a wealth” of issues around the Crown’s disclosure of evidence in the case.

“They remain outstanding,” Anderson told the court, “but Mr. Ali is anxious to have this matter proceed.”

Crown prosecutor Isobel Keeley, meanwhile, said the Crown had provided “substantial disclosure” already but would discuss other items with Ali’s lawyers.

She said prosecutors anticipate calling 10 witnesses during a 12-day preliminary inquiry.

“That’s based on a number of admissions that my friend has indicated that he’s prepared to make,” Keeley said.

The inquiry is schedule to start on Nov. 25 and go till Dec. 13.

Ali’s court appearance was delayed Tuesday because of a delay transporting him from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam and then because the Arabic translator could not be located.

A protester holds up a photo of slain Burnaby 13-year-old Marrisa Shen as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses for photos with the crowd at the Hats Off Day Parade in Burnaby Saturday. - Jennifer Gauthier

Ali was charged with Shen’s murder in September 2018 after an investigation that lasted more than a year.

He had arrived in Canada with his family as a privately sponsored refugee from Syria about three months before Shen’s death, according to police.

His court appearances have been accompanied by protests outside the courthouse voicing concerns about immigration and public safety.

Protesters were back Tuesday morning with banners proclaiming “Comprehensive Security Screening Now!” and “Hold Trudeau Accountable.”