The partner of a local man suspected of orchestrating a deadly terrorist attack in Iraq released a statement Sunday claiming Sayfildin Tahir Sharif is being wrongfully accused.
Cara Rain describes her common-law husband as a "kind, generous man, a hard working man, a loving and kind and affectionate father." She goes on to write that he "could never hurt a fly, never mind the things he is being accused of," and that he treated her children as his own.
Sharif, who also goes by Faruq Khalil Muhammad Isa, was arrested in north Edmonton on January 19th, and is facing charges of conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals. The accusations come after a suicide bombing at a military base in Iraq killed five American soldiers back in April 2009.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, evidence against the 38-year-old was gathered through wiretaps and internet account monitoring, which was authorized by the Canadian courts.
Documents obtained by CTV show a phone conversation recorded by the F.B.I. soon after the blast occurred, where it's alleged the defendant asked, "Did you hear about the huge incident yesterday? Is it known?" After the other person responds, "yes," Sharif is said to reply, "He was one of the Tunisian brothers."
Sharif's lawyer is now fighting extradition orders to the U.S., where the Iraqi-born man could face a life sentence if convicted.
"[R]emember he is Canadian, no matter where he came from, he has been a Canadian citizen for 17 years, and as a Canadian citizen he is innocent until proven guilty," wrote Rain in her statement.
"I have no doubt in my mind, he is innocent… I would not [have] shared my home and shared my life and shared my children's life with a terrorist."
Rain also states she converted from Christianity to Islam "after careful consideration because it is a religion of peace." She says she fully cooperated with the RCMP K Division after she was detained for three hours following her partner's arrest.
"I answered all their questions as did he: we have nothing to hide," she wrote.
A bail hearing for Sharif is set for Wednesday. His lawyer believes it will take months to determine whether the extradition order will be granted.
