A Toronto woman who had to be physically forced to appear before a judge on terror charges, and then called people in the courtroom “infidels,” has been deemed fit to stand trial.
Rehab Dughmosh, 32, underwent a court-ordered mental health assessment after she refused to leave her cell and attend several scheduled court dates.
When she was finally forced by correctional officers to stand in front of a camera for a court appearance last month, she refused to answer questions and said through a translator: “You are all infidels. I do not worship what you worship.”
Despite Dughmosh’s behaviour, a forensic psychiatrist who examined her concluded that she understands the court process and the consequences of a potential conviction, prosecutor Bradley Reitz told reporters Wednesday. She was therefore declared fit to stand trial.
Dughmosh faces a total of 21 charges, including attempted murder for the benefit of, or in association with, a terrorist group.
Police allege she swung a golf club at employees and a customer at a Canadian Tire store on June 3. She also allegedly pulled out a large knife from under her clothes before store staff restrained her.
During her first court appearance in June, Dughmosh pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group, or ISIS, in response to questions about her name. She refused to attend three subsequent court appearances, until a judge ordered that she be physically removed from her cell.
Dughmosh’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 20. If she refuses to attend, Reitz said correctional officers will remove her from her cell and bring her to court.
