The man who the authorities want to extradite to the US has to appear in court on charges of threatening two hospital drugs.
Arthur Knight, whose US officials claim to be Nicholas Rossi, appeared on Glasgow Sheriff Court was indicted on Thursday for acting aggressively against a counselor and chief nurse at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).
The court was told he got up from his hospital bed “screaming” on Tuesday and approached the two staff members “like a raging bull, red-faced and cursing”.
Knight, whose identity is still disputed and who was out on bail in connection with his case with the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, denies the charges.
He was refused bail and remanded in custody.
This man has denied being that person and has refused to provide DNA or fingerprints to prove that position
The indictment document said Knight goes by other names such as Nicholas Rossi, Nicholas Alahverdian, Nicholas Brown, Arthur Winston Brown and Arthur Knight Brown.
Rossi wanted for raping 21-year-old woman Utah in September 2008 and allegedly faked his death and fled to Scotland to evade charges.
Prosecutor Julie Clark told the court that the man in the dock, who said his name is Arthur Knight, had previously been identified by police witnesses and medical professionals as Rossi, who has an extradition request in connection with the sexual assault.
“This man has denied that he is that person and has refused to give DNA or fingerprints to prove that position,” she said.
Ms Clark said Rossi is a registered sex offender in the US and wanted for other crimes, including fraud, sex acts and the evasion of justice.
Based on his medical condition, I request that my lordship grant him bail
Knight, who appeared in a wheelchair wearing a dressing gown, slippers and an oxygen mask, could be heard yelling back, “That’s not true.”
Sheriff Gerard MacMillan, head of the case, has asked him several times to remain silent.
Ms Clark further told the court that the accused failed to attend four trials in June due to “ill health”.
He was initially scheduled to appear at a Glasgow Sheriff Court via video link in connection with the hospital disruption, but failed to show up, the court heard.
Ms Clark then spoke of a medical note she had in her evidence and said: “The most recent (note) said there were no concerns regarding his lungs and the description of seizures had been falsified.
“After falling unwell last night, this man became unwell again, was taken to QEUH and, when he was seen by a doctor this morning, he was discharged and found suitable for court.
“This is a man who has repeatedly told the court, Crown and the press that he is unfit for extradition.”
Ms Clark added: “This is not a suitable man to be released on bail.
I feel like you might be hiding and not showing up on a diet
“He has proven that he cannot be trusted and that is why he should be remanded in custody.”
Munawar Ali, the lawyer on duty, was called to represent Knight because his lawyer was not in court.
He told the court that the suspect should be released on bail based on his previous convictions and his health.
“He had Covid-19 and then the attacks,” Ali said.
“On the basis of his medical condition, I ask my lordship to grant him bail.”
Mr Ali said other allegations against Knight relate to a hearing at the Sheriff Court in Edinburgh and therefore should not be considered when making decisions on matters related to the hospital disruption.
The hearing was briefly interrupted after Knight asked to have a new oxygen tank attached to his mask before shaking violently in his wheelchair.
The accused could then be heard at the end saying, “I’m not Nicholas Rossi, and the problem here is that the medical records say I have basic epilepsy, not fake seizures.”
Sheriff MacMillan turned to Knight, saying he took “the entire background” into consideration when he refused bail.
“I feel like you might go into hiding and not show up on a diet,” he said.