TORONTO – A court-appointed lawyer is demanding a mental health assessment for one of two men found guilty of terrorism charges in a case involving a plot to derail a passenger train.
Lawyer Russell Silverstein says Chiheb Esseghaier needs to be assessed by a psychiatrist because the findings of that exercise could impact the Tunisian national’s sentence.
READ MORE: Sentences in Via terror plot not likely until July, court hears
He says Esseghaier’s mental health is a “real issue” in the case and one that needs to be investigated.
Esseghaier, who refused to participate in his trial because he wanted to be judged under the rules of the Qu’ran, is telling the court he doesn’t mind talking to doctors because he’s always eager to share his religious values.
He says he was created by God to “warn mankind” about “hellfire” if they didn’t follow the messages of the Qu’ran.
Crown prosecutors are arguing that Esseghaier has fervent religious beliefs but say a mental health assessment isn’t necessary for the sentencing phase of the trial.
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