FOR AN ACCUSED TERRORIST, SHE’S SURELY ENTITLED.

Dog-and-pony show goes to trial in terror case

The felicitously named Rehab Dughmosh has simultaneously reaffirmed her love for the Islamic State, pledged to attack others in its name if released and, oh yes, pleaded not guilty to a sheaf of terrorismrelated charges against her.

It was quite the day in 413 court in Scarborough.

The 32-year-old, Syrianborn Dughmosh faces the charges in connection with a bizarre incident at a Scarborough Canadian Tire where she allegedly swung a golf club and wielded a knife at employees and customers, all the while sporting a headband with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) markings and shrieking “Allahu Akbar!”

She is one whoppingly entitled young woman.

Ontario Court Judge Kimberley Crosbie on Wednesday asked Dughmosh how, now that she’s been pronounced mentally fit, she wanted to proceed — an Ontario Court trial, a Superior Court trial before a judge or a Superior Court trial before a judge and jury.

“Not even one,” Dughmosh said through an Arabic interpreter. “Is it my time to speak?”

“Say oh you non-believers, I do not believe what you believe.”

Then, with a haughty nod to Crosbie, Dughmosh said, “Tell her I am still a supporter of the Islamic State and I am not guilty.”

The latter was new, since twice before at court appearances, Dughmosh has indicated a desire to do the opposite, plead guilty and be done with a system she scorns. She has also consistently refused the services of a lawyer.

When Crosbie explained her choices again and said that if Dughmosh wouldn’t choose one, she as the judge would make the decision for her.

“I don’t want any one,” Dughmosh replied, then, raising her voice, cried loudly: “Stop the court! Stop the court!”

The judge, who has been remarkably flexible and considerate in her dealings with Dughmosh, pressed on.

She told her the charges against her would be read aloud, and then she would have to elect a method of trial.

Thirteen charges, all regular Criminal Code offences such as attempted murder (four counts), several of assault or assault with a weapon (the golf clubs, knife or, in one instance, a bow), carrying a concealed weapon (the knife and bow) but with the catch that they were all allegedly committed “for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group,” were duly read.

All relate to the Canadian Tire incident on June 3 this year.

As well, Dughmosh is charged with leaving Canada in April of 2016 “for the purpose of committing” an act or omission that, if committed in Canada “would be a terrorist offence.”

Dughmosh was allegedly trying to join ISIL in Syria but was intercepted in Turkey. She objected to the “terrorist group” references that were part of the charges.

“Tell her,” she told the interpreter, meaning the judge, “instruct her from saying a ‘terrorist group’ to write the Islamic State.”

Push come to shove, Dughmosh stuck to her guns, or rather her golf clubs: “I don’t choose anything.” The judge then deemed her to have chosen trial by judge and jury in the Superior Court.

Dughmosh had a question: “Am I subject to this trial because I have the Canadian citizenship?” she asked.

“No,” said Crosbie. “Anyway, just tell her (the judge) I waive my right to Canadian citizenship.”

After a break, when court resumed, Dughmosh had another question, one which illustrated her acuity: “At the Vanier (Centre for Women, the jail where she’s being held), in jail, they still think I have mental issues and still prescribe medication for me.

“If I had mental issues, I should not be coming to court,” she said. “If I don’t have mental issues, I shouldn’t be taking medication.” She refused it, she said, “but they (the jail) shouldn’t offer it to me.”

The judge pointed out that Dughmosh has to come

I WILL ALWAYS BE SUPPORTER OF ISLAMIC STATE UNTIL THE LAST DAY OF MY LIFE.

to court when required, and that a couple of times, she refused to leave her cell and at least once was forcibly brought.

That prompted Dughmosh to recall that during that incident, her niqab had been removed, and she’d appeared by video in court bare-headed.

“Tell her I do not forgive them (guards) for taking off my headdress,” she pronounced. “Yes,” said Crosbie, “and that’s been addressed.”

“They should have been able to put it on and have me go in more humane way,” Dughmosh said.

“Obviously,” said the judge, “it’s preferable to go of your own free will.”

“So that doesn’t mean it’s real freedom?” Dughmosh replied smartly.

She will make her first appearance in Superior Court on Oct. 11.

“Say all you who don’t believe,” Dughmosh said. “I don’t believe what you do to me.

“Tell her I will always be supporter of Islamic State until the last day of my life, and if you allow me to go, I will do the same thing I tried to do the last time, and failed.”

“Her,” as she always referred to the judge, is done with Rehab Dughmosh. This dog-and-pony show moves downtown next month.