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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Accused terrorist can be extradited to U.S.: judge

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 10/20/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Sayfildin Tahir Sharif (CP)

EDMONTON -- An Edmonton judge ruled there is enough evidence to extradite a Canadian citizen to the United States to face terrorism charges.

Sayfildin Tahir Sharif is accused of conspiracy to kill Americans and supporting a terror group that took part in a 2009 suicide bombing in his native Iraq. A truck filled with explosives was detonated at a military checkpoint, killing five U.S. soldiers.

The Crown argued intercepted phone and Internet conversations show Sharif, who went by other names -- including Faruq Muhammad'Isa -- helped jihadists contact members of a terror network as they made their way from Tunisia to Iraq to make the attack.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Adam Germain said the recorded phone calls and emails went far beyond religious enthusiasm.

"The record of the case is logical and supported by Mr. Isa's own words," Germain ruled.

The case will go to federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson for a final decision on whether the 40-year-old will be sent to New York to face trial. If convicted of terrorism charges in the United States, Sharif could face a maximum life sentence.

Sharif's lawyer, Bob Aloneissi, said the defence will appeal the judge's ruling.

Aloneissi argued during the hearing there is no clear evidence that proves Sharif helped support a terrorist group or that he agreed to help kill anyone. He said the Crown's case is based on police interpretations of vague statements by Sharif that have been translated from Arabic to English. Sharif, an ethnic Kurd, was born in Iraq but moved to Toronto as a refugee in 1993. He became a Canadian citizen in 1997.

On Jan. 19, 2011, he was arrested at an Edmonton apartment, where he lived with his girlfriend and her children. Sharif claimed the terrorist allegations against him came from people who were tortured by American investigators.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 20, 2012 A28

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