By Canadian Press

Minister’s husband agrees to psychiatric assessment on charges he assaulted her

Feb 9, 2017 | 4:15 AM

HALIFAX — The husband of Nova Scotia’s immigration minister stood quietly Thursday as he consented to a psychiatric assessment amid charges he assaulted, threatened and choked his wife on New Year’s Eve.

Maroun Diab appeared briefly in Halifax provincial court and was remanded for the assessment at the East Coast Forensic Hospital to determine his fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility.

Diab had been released on a series of conditions last month, including one prohibiting him from having any contact with his wife, Lena Diab, and two other people.

But his lawyer Mark Knox said he was later admitted to hospital under the province’s Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act and was brought to court Thursday by staff from the Abbie J. Lane hospital.

“I’ve spoken to Mr. Diab and his family members and he is agreeable to a term at the East Coast Forensic unit,” said Knox, as Maroun Diab stood next to him emotionless in a dark suit.

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Diab also faces two counts of threatening two other people and will return to court March 8.

Halifax police said the 58-year-old was arrested early New Year’s Day after they received a call shortly before midnight from the Diabs’ home near Mount Saint Vincent University.

Lena Diab later described the incident as a “very tragic, sad, private and personal matter,” and publicly thanked the community for supporting her and her family of four children and one grandchild.

Lena Diab, a lawyer and business owner, was appointed Nova Scotia’s first female justice minister after winning office in October 2013, and was named to the immigration portfolio in 2015.

The Canadian Press

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