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“We feel sorry for Marrisa Shen,” Wen Zhou, one of the supporters, said outside court before the court appearance.

“We feel sorry for her family. Marrisa Shen deserved to live much longer than now. We hope the murderer will be punished.”

A number of the supporters carried white flowers with them.

Also present outside the court was a small number of members of the Syrian community who carried signs saying, ‘Justice for Marrisa Shen.’

Members of the Syrian community have expressed sympathies for the victim’s family and concern that news about the accused, who is a Syrian refugee, might unfairly tarnish them.

Photo by Nick Procaylo / PNG

Others who showed up at the courthouse were vocal in their opposition of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees from the war-torn country into Canada.

“This is a terrible tragedy to us,” said Laura Thompson. “It’s a failed Trudeau policy. This is not at all right for us.”

Photo by Francis Georgian / PNG

Photo by Francis Georgian / PNG

Several people held a sign that said, “NO BAIL NO MORE VICTIMS”.

Other signs placed outside the courthouse at 222 Main Street read, “NO MORE KILLING NO MORE VICTIMS” and “Where is Justin Trudeau’s heart?”

Outside court, Markovitz said his heart “truly goes out” to the murder victim.

“I received particulars today and I haven’t had a chance to review them in any depth. I will review them but at this stage I cannot offer any comments except to again say we all feel horrible for that child.”

Asked by a reporter whether he had spoken to Ali’s family, he said he had and added that the accused’s family were “puzzled and they’re horrified by the allegations.”