EDMONTON — An Iranian refugee who admitted he hates Muslims has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for slashing a dentist with broken glass.
Mohammadreza Gholamrezazdehshirazi, 46, also pleaded guilty to uttering death threats stemming from the Oct. 23, 2007, attack on Dr. Ali Fathi-Afshar.
When he was arrested at his home, he expressed a strong hatred towards Muslims, saying he assumed the dentist was Muslim due to his name.
Court heard the officer asked why and Gholamrezazdehshirazi replied: “Because they took my land in my country.”
At the time of the slashing, police said Gholamrezazdehshirazi had also bitten a female dental assistant on the arm.
The Crown is seeking a four-year prison term while the defence wants a provincial jail sentence of under two years.
However, Gholamrezazdehshirazi told court he should be let out now after serving eight months of pre-trial custody.
“I believe I am punished enough in prison,” he said Tuesday. “I suffer too much. I think I will have a heart attack. I am not a criminal.”
According to agreed facts, Gholamrezazdehshirazi showed up at the office of Fathi-Afshar in an “agitated state” and demanded to see the dentist. (MORE)