An Edmonton man suspected of supporting a deadly terrorist group in Iraq has been denied bail.
The decision was announced Friday afternoon in an Edmonton courtroom, following a bail hearing for Sayfildin Tahir-Sharif on Wednesday.
Tahir-Sharif, 38, is charged in the U.S. for allegedly supporting a terrorist group that took part in a suicide bombing in Iraq that killed five American soldiers in April 2009.
Describing the reasons for the decision, Justice Eric Macklin said there are concerns Tahir-Sharif is a "significant flight risk".
The judge also determined Tahir-Sharif's lawyer, Bob Aloneissi, failed to prove his client's release would not pose a danger to the public.
"These are some of the most serious charges once can face," said Justice Macklin.
Tahir-Sharif was arrested in Edmonton last month at the request of the FBI.
During Wednesday's bail hearing proceedings, Aloneissi argued that the evidence in support of the charges laid against his client is weak according to arrest documents.
Aloneissi said in regards to the conspiracy to commit murder charge, "there is absolutely no evidence, not a shred, to support that allegation."
The Iraqi-born man lives in north Edmonton, is married and has children. He is a Canadian citizen and his lawyer said he has been working for a construction company applying stucco.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Tahir-Sharif was charged based on evidence gathered in Canadian court-authorized wiretaps and search warrants.
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," Tahir-Sharif is said to reply, "He was one of the Tunisian brothers."
Aloneissi calls the electronic conversations in the arrest documents "nothing more than a spectator who shares his observations."
Aloneissi also suggested U.S. authorities have been wrong before, and even alleges they have a history of "fabricating evidence".
During the bail hearing, Tahir-Sharif's partner Cara Rain took the stand in his defence, calling him an affectionate person and a good dad.
"I don't think he's the person that they paint," Rain said.
During cross-examination, Rain admitted their relationship was rocky and he was trying to dictate her life. The court also heard that she even thought of leaving him and marrying another man as recently as December.
The Crown stated the many computer conversations Tahir-Sharif engaged in are more than "armchair terrorism" and it is the type of talk only one inside an organization would engage in.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
With files from CTV's David Ewasuk and Bill Fortier.
