A Calgary man accused of murdering his ex-wife is heading for a psychiatric assessment to determine his mental state at the time of the killing.
Mohamad Anass Mahmou Al-Sahli, 48, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Anna Brazhko, 38, who was killed on March 4, 2025.
Court of King’s Bench Justice Jane Sidnell signed off on sending the accused for an NCR (not criminally responsible) assessment following an application made by defence lawyers Alain Hepner and Jared Craig.
An NCR assessment examines the mental competence of the accused person at the time of the alleged offence.
A publication ban protects the evidence and arguments presented at Tuesday’s hearing by the defence and prosecutors Janice Walsh and Erin Norman.
Initially, the defence also wanted a fitness assessment, which would examine whether Al-Sahli understands the court process and is able to instruct his lawyers, but that application was abandoned Tuesday afternoon.
Currently, Al-Sahli’s jury trial is set to begin mid-October.
Previous allegations of domestic assault
At the time of Brazhko’s death, Al-Sahli was facing domestic violence offences including assault, choking and forcible confinement.
He entered into a peace bond two months later, meaning the charges were withdrawn. Conditions of the peace bond included a no-contact order with Brazhko.
On the morning of the killing, police responded to a 911 call from a home in the southwest neighbourhood of Belmont just before 2 a.m.
Investigators allege Al-Sahli broke into Brazhko’s home that she shared with her new partner and “fatally assaulted her.”
Al-Sahli was arrested at the scene.