KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A man accused of threatening to kill government workers at a social services office in Kamloops, B.C., has been granted bail.
Amir Abbas Golbaz, 37, is facing charges of uttering threats, causing a disturbance, resisting a police officer, mischief and assaulting a police officer stemming from a Sept. 26 incident.
The Crown alleges the Iranian refugee, who is schizophrenic, became upset with a clerk when he was told he would have to wait 90 minutes to be served.
“Mr. Golbaz sat down in the waiting area but soon began to mutter,” Crown lawyer Will Burrows said.
“He was upset and began to yell and called the employee a racist," Burrrow said. “He continued with his rants and then continued, ‘We’ll all die — I’ll kill you.’”
Court heard Golbaz then ripped a phone off of the wall and smashed it. When police showed up, he attempted to kick two officers before he was taken into custody.
Provincial court Judge Roy Dickey agreed to release Golbaz on bail with a $500 deposit.
Court heard that Golbaz, whose family emigrated to Canada as refugees fleeing Iran in the 1980s, has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
He plans to eventually live with his family in London, Ont.
Court heard he is wanted on an immigration warrant, so even if he is released from custody in B.C., he will likely have more legal issues to deal with before he gets out of jail.
Lawyers will meet next week to set a date for Golbaz’s trial in Kamloops. (Kamloops This Week)