(FixThisNation.com) – Last summer, a Connecticut man, Andrey Desmond, had attacked Rep. Maryam Khan outside of an Islamic prayer service. The 31-year-old man has now received a five-year prison sentence.
The Hartford Superior Court sentenced the man on several charges including strangulation, risk of injury to a minor, and sexual assault. The attack had taken place in June 2023 outside an Eid al-Adha service.
Khan had accused the man of making sexual advances towards both her and her daughters. The man then proceeded to slap her, put her in a chokehold, and throw her on the ground. As a result of the attack, she suffered a concussion as well as injuries to her shoulder and right arm.
Khan noted following the sentencing on Tuesday that she was glad to see the situation resolved. She added that she was looking forward to putting this incident behind her.
Earlier this year Desmond had pleaded guilty to all charges, with his attorney claiming that since the incident his client has been put on medication for several mental health disorders, including schizophrenia. The defense attorney reportedly stated that it was “extremely regretful” that this incident occurred and that his client was apologetic for all the pain he had caused. He also blamed the incident on Desmond’s schizophrenia taking over.
On Tuesday Khan argued that this case further underscored the mental health system issues. She added that she was glad to be in a position where she could take action about these things.
Khan following the incident last year had called for a hate crime investigation to be opened about it, as she is the first Muslim to be elected in the state’s House of Representatives.
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