A man from Mississauga, already serving a 40-year sentence for terrorism-related offenses in the U. S., has received an extra 50 years in federal prison after assaulting two corrections officers, according to an announcement from the U. S. Attorney’s Office on Monday.
Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, age 28, pleaded guilty last November to several charges including assault, assault with intent to commit murder, possession of contraband in prison, and providing material support to ISIS, as stated in a news release from the Middle District of Pennsylvania attorney’s office.
These charges stem from a violent incident that took place in 2020 at a federal prison in Pennsylvania where El Bahnasawy used a weapon fashioned from part of a steel desk in his cell to attack two corrections officers. He stabbed one officer in the head and face and another officer in the hand when they tried to intervene, according to the news release.
The first officer lost his right eye due to the attack, as noted in the release.
After El Bahnasawy was subdued, authorities found a note “in his sock” that stated, “this is a terrorist attack for the Islamic State.”
Additionally, a pledge of allegiance to ISIS was discovered within his prison cell, according to the release.
“Today’s sentence will further ensure that Bahnasawy remains incarcerated for an extended period where he can cause much less harm,” said John A. Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for national security, as mentioned in the release.
In his sentencing submission regarding the 2020 assaults, El Bahnasawy included a letter expressing that he was ‘deeply sorry’ for what happened. (bringabdulhome. ca)
El Bahnasawy Shows Remorse Following Assault
In his submission related to sentencing for those assaults from 2020, El Bahnasawy wrote a letter dated October 15 where he expressed being “deeply sorry” about what occurred.
“If I had been mentally well and able to think clearly, this would never have happened,” he stated. El Bahnasawy mentioned he’s struggled with mental health issues for years and faced challenges while being kept in solitary confinement without “the right medication and care.”
“All I can do now is stay committed to medication and treatment and prevent further harm. When I receive my medication, I am calmer and think clearly,” he wrote in his letter.
In an interview with , El Bahnasawy’s parents Khdiga Metwally and Osama El Bahnasawy shared their distress over hearing about the incident; they couldn’t sleep for “a week” afterwards.
“We don’t support any type of violence,” Osama remarked.
“I was crying for the guard; I was crying for my son,” Metwally added.
Mental Health Issues Documented: Court Records
Back in 2018, El Bahnasawy was sentenced to 40 years at a U. S. federal prison after admitting guilt on terror charges.
His indictment included seven charges linked with plans made back in 2016 aimed at executing “terrorist acts around New York City,” which involved intentions of detonating bombs throughout subway stations as well as placing a car bomb at Times Square.
El Bahanaswy was only 18 when he pled guilty; none of these planned attacks were carried out.
Sentencing documents submitted by both sides acknowledged that he dealt with mental health concerns along with addiction problems. Both sets of documents also indicated that he had been radicalized online.
Before his initial arrest took place, his parents revealed that he had been diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder along with addiction issues; furthermore, he had stopped taking prescribed medications, as reported by CBC back in 2021.
“El Bhanaswy”, right alongside both mom and dad-his family has continuously advocated for him returning home to Canada so he could serve time there, highlighting inadequate mental health resources and lack of appropriate medication available within U. S prisons.(bringabdulhome. ca)
During his judgment delivery back in 2018, New York District Judge Richard M. Berman recommended transferring him to facilities closer towards better mental healthcare services while also ensuring proximity toward family members residing in Ontario.
This judgment additionally noted court’s openness towards potential treaty transfers heading into Canada.
Experts Alongside Family Seek Transfer To Canadian Jail
The family advocates alongside American specialists pushing hard requesting transitioning him toward Canadian prisons owing to his ongoing mental health concerns persistently over recent years now.
Pursuing time served currently occurs at The Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX) Florence-a supermaximum institution crafted specifically housing most dangerous prisoners characterized by solitary confinement conditions established therein.
Metwally shared emotional feelings stating their last encounter seeing their son transpired back during September noting it felt “heartbreaking” viewing him isolated unable accessing full comprehensive support concerning any mental illness needs whatsoever.”
Currently engaged amid legal disputes involving RCMP representatives coupled together Canada’s Director Of Public Prosecutions striving advocating effectively emphasizing transition requests occurring urgently addressing local system provisions upon transfer protocols accepted smoothly throughout hearings convened regularly since then.
An emailed statement released Tuesday morning addressed via Corrections Canada revealing specific cases cannot be commented upon however all applications regarding offender international transfers indeed received careful consideration thoroughly processed adequately guiding each request properly ensured going forward appropriately handled effectively.
Andrew Frisch-a New York lawyer representing Abdulrahman throughout proceedings begun since early engagement periods-stated asserting how fundamentally prosecuted focused mainly targeting psychotic episodes encountered hence illustrating systemic justice inadequacies surrounding prior circumstance influences urging reconsideration towards aspects related treating individuals suffering mentally ill states equivalently reflected consistent violations across international standards upheld everywhere overall.
reached out seeking comments directly corresponding correspondences directed through United States Department Justice officials assessing insights available precisely surrounding ongoing deliberative measures taken concerning future resolutions pending forthcoming developments anticipated promptly arriving during upcoming weeks ahead thereafter once more reaching final conclusions assessed thoroughly navigating complex realities existing presently awaiting determined actions accordingly.
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