Laval reception hall closes after repeated violent attacks
Just over a month after police forces launched a joint investigation to fight organized crime in Montreal, a reception hall in Laval has closed its doors for good after being attacked multiple times.
According to the son of the co-owner of Nuit de Beyrouth, there have been four attacks at their business in 8 months.
Kevin Al-Sabek said it all started when the owners refused to pay for so-called "protection."
"We don't want that to happen to any other business from what we've seen this past year, it's been crazy," he told CTV News on Monday.
On March 31, Laval and Montreal police, along with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) launched Projet Mèche, a joint investigation aimed at fighting organized crime.
At the time, they said in the last 12 months 67 incidents were reported, ranging from extortion to arson, mostly targeting culturally-specific businesses.
Laval police Insp. Kimon Christopoulos (second from right) speaks to reporters on Thursday, March 30, 2023, alongside his colleagues at the Montreal police and the Surete du Quebec about Projet Meche, a new investigation into organized crime in and around the Montreal area. (Olivia O'Malley/CTV News)
Now, the attacks appear to have led to at least one permanent closure of what used to be a booming reception hall for almost a decade.
Al-Sabek is demanding something to be done.
"When we took the place, it was completely empty. We had to do the wall, we had to do the plumbing, the electricity, install the kitchen. We spent all of our savings on the restaurant," he said.
He also called on the police to do more to protect businesses.
Laval police declined CTV News' request for an interview Monday but said in an email that "the safety of our merchants is a priority" and "no form of intimidation or violence will be tolerated."
In the meantime, Nuit de Beyrouth is being dismantled with no plans to reopen.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6971573.1721489566!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Alberta town takes action fighting crime, addressing homelessness, addictions issues
In Cold Lake, Alta., drivers leaning through windows at the McDonald’s drive-thru have been ambushed by people running by and snatching food right out of their hands.
Workplace habit of 'coffee badging' prompts reported new policy at Amazon
The term 'coffee badging' has gained some new significance this week with multiple outlets reporting Amazon is allegedly taking measures to counter the workplace trend it refers to.
Trudeau and family head to British Columbia for vacation in unnamed location
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will head to British Columbia on Sunday, where he will be on vacation with his family until Aug. 1.
Stranger sexually assaulted Surrey woman while she was asleep in her home, RCMP say
A woman in Surrey's Newton neighbourhood woke up to a stranger groping her early Saturday morning, according to local police.
Baby dies after pregnant woman fatally struck by vehicle in downtown Toronto
A woman fatally struck by a sedan in downtown Toronto earlier this week was pregnant, and her baby has also died, police say.
'I took a bullet for democracy': Trump holds first rally after assassination attempt
Donald Trump is holding his first campaign rally since he survived an attempted assassination, returning to the battleground state of Michigan alongside his new running mate.
Democratic consensus solidifies around Harris, should Biden step aside
No one quite knows what the process of picking a new nominee would be if Joe Biden did step aside – but many Democrats say that any process is likelier than ever to quickly end with Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee.
A 12-year-old girl is accused of smothering her younger cousin over an iPhone
A 12-year-old girl in Tennessee has been charged with murder, accused of smothering her eight-year-old cousin as the younger girl slept. A relative said they had been arguing over an iPhone.
Here are the signs you're ready to downsize your home
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, many Canadians are looking to find ways to save money, such as downsizing their home. But one Ottawa broker says there are several signs to consider before making the big decision.