New Research: Iranian Hostage-Taker in Australia Had Schizophrenia

According to a report by AFP, new investigations into the case of the Iranian-born hostage-taker in Sydney, Australia, reveal that he suffered from chronic mental illness and had been using medication for psychological issues for some time. Mohammad Hassan Manteqi, a 50-year-old Iranian refugee in Australia known as Haron Monis, took dozens of hostages at the 'Lindt' café in Sydney on December 15, 2014, and was killed along with two hostages following a police raid on the café. He, a self-proclaimed cleric, had received political asylum in Australia in 2001. Despite being accused of involvement in murder and numerous counts of inappropriate behavior and sexual assault, he had been released on bail by the court. A new report published on Wednesday, May 27, indicates that Mohammad Hassan Manteqi suffered from multiple health and psychological issues. His psychologist, Kristen Barrett, stated in the report that 'he tried to evade answering and felt he was under constant surveillance, even in the bathroom.' Ms. Barrett added, 'In my opinion, he suffers from chronic schizophrenia, and my treatment plan is to give him antipsychotic medication.' Kristen Barrett mentioned that she had previously prescribed medications to Haron Monis that had improved his condition, but Mr. Monis stopped taking the medications in early 2011 and ceased visiting the psychologist a few months later. The new investigation indicates that Haron Monis (Mohammad Hassan Manteqi) had a need for grandiosity and attempted to adopt new identities to fulfill this need. He had previously tried to join a motorcycle club, but the members rejected his application due to 'his strange personality.' He also attempted to gain a position within the Muslim community in Australia, but Islamic organizations also refused to accept him. Mohammad Hassan Manteqi was also convicted in 2012 for sending threatening letters to the families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan. In 2014, Haron Monis faced numerous financial and legal problems and was also suffering from loneliness. On his website, he compared himself to Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, claiming that the accusations against him had 'political motivations.' His website stated, 'I was previously a Rafidi, but I am no longer. I am now a Muslim, thank God.' On the same day as the hostage-taking in Sydney by Mohammad Hassan Manteqi, Marzieh Afkham, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated that Iranian officials were aware of his mental state and added that 'the mental health history and conditions of the Iranian hostage-taker, who had sought asylum in Australia nearly two decades ago, had repeatedly been raised with Australian officials.'