AUBURN – A Romanian author and dissident arrested last month for allegedly beating his wife at their local home is expected to undergo psychological observation in Augusta, according to court papers.

Leonard C. Oprea, 55, of 81 Briarcliff Knoll, was charged by police with domestic violence assault, domestic violence criminal threatening and obstructing report of a crime, all misdemeanors.

Oprea pleaded not guilty to the charges in 8th District Court in Lewiston last month. He is being held at Androscoggin County Jail in lieu of $1,200 cash bail.

A judge at Androscoggin County Superior Court earlier this month ordered Oprea’s commitment to Riverview Psychiatric Center for observation.

A supervisor at the jail said Oprea has remained at the jail since his arrest.

Oprea’s attorney, Donald Hornblower, had filed a motion seeking the observation following a meeting with Oprea at the jail. After that meeting, Hornblower discussed his observations with prosecutors and had reason to believe Oprea “has serious mental illness,” Hornblower wrote in his motion. That led him to question Oprea’s competence and criminal responsibility, Hornblower wrote.

He also wrote that Oprea needed immediate treatment that was not being provided at the jail. Hornblower wrote that Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Worden, assigned to the case, didn’t object to the motion.

Worden said Friday that Oprea should remain at Riverview for 30 days. While there, staff would observe him and write a report. He then would be returned to jail.

Police said on the night of May 10 Oprea hit his wife in the face and head, kicked her back, pulled her hair and choked her. He also threatened to kill her, an officer wrote in a sworn affidavit. The couple has a 4-year-old daughter who was at the home at the time of the alleged assault.