Accused in Concordia bomb threats moved
Hisham Saadi, the man charged with making bomb threats that forced Concordia University to evacuate three buildings last month, will reside at a centre that specializes in psychological counselling after having an evaluation.
The 47-year-old appeared before Quebec Court Judge Nathalie Fafard Thursday to have his release conditions modified. Saadi was required to reside at a Montreal hospital while being evaluated to determine his mental state at the time he allegedly emailed threats to the school. No bombs were found and a search of Saadi’s residence turned up no explosive materials.
Saadi’s lawyer, Caroline Braun, informed Fafard the evaluation determined he could be found criminally responsible for his actions if he were convicted. However, the mental health expert who conducted the evaluation recommended Saadi spend the next few weeks at a centre for “psychological support.”
Braun requested the address of the centre be kept confidential and Saadi not be required to enter its location into the court record. Af- ter some hesitation, prosecutor Alexandre Gautier agreed to it. He was reassured Saadi’s whereabouts could be traced through the hospital he resided at.
Braun also asked one of Saadi’s conditions be slightly modified so he can visit his lawyer’s offices. The attorney’s offices are close to Concordia’s downtown campus, and one of the conditions Saadi agreed to is that he not be within 100 metres of the university’s buildings while his case is pending.
Saadi is charged with committing acts that were susceptible to causing fear that terrorist acts were about to be committed. He is also charged with uttering threats toward people and mischief.
The case resumes in early in May.