Quebec police watchdog opens probe after suspect arrested, released before stabbing

Quebec’s police watchdog is investigating after a suspect alleged to have stabbed his spouse on Thursday was arrested and released hours earlier by Quebec City police.

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes says in a statement that police responded to a call at 8:59 p.m. for a marital dispute and arrested a 51-year-old man at the scene for alleged assault, break and enter and breach of probation.

It says the accused was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date and under an order prohibiting him from speaking to the alleged victim.

Police were called to the same residence at 11:03 p.m. Thursday for a 46-year-old woman who was stabbed and who was the same alleged victim in the previous call.