The United States vs. Sayfildin Tahir Sharif
The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to have a Canadian man, Sayfildin Tahir Sharif, extradited to New York to face terrorism charges.
Recent terrorism-related cases
In addition to the charges against Sharif, since December there have been developments in five other terrorism-related cases in Canada. Those cases include another extradition case, increased sentences in two cases, a bail review for Matin Abdul Stanikzy, and deportation proceedings against Mohamed Harkat.
The details are on the CBC News 'Quick Facts' page.
U.S. authorities allege Sharif, 38, supported a "multinational terrorist network that conducted multiple suicide bombings in Iraq and that is responsible for the deaths of five American soldiers." Sharif was arrested on Wednesday in Edmonton.
The U.S. complaint includes a timeline of events involving Sharif's alleged participation in the terrorist network. Here is a summary of the allegations:
Oct. 17, 2008: Four Tunisian prospective suicide bombers — identified as Fighter 1, Fighter 2, Fighter 3, Fighter 4 — travelled from Tunisia to Ras el-Jadir, Libya. The fighters then traveled via Syria and arrived in Iraq in March 2009. The trip was co-ordinated by people identified as Facilitator 1 and Facilitator 2.
March 20, 2009: Sharif has contact with another Tunisian individual, identified as Fighter 5, who was planning on travelling to Iraq to engage in suicide attacks. Sharif asks Fighter 5, "And how are the brothers there in our place? Anything new about them?" Fighter 5 responds, "They are fine, praise God. They called yesterday. No, my brother. There is nothing new so far."
Sharif also tells Fighter 5, "Try to delete everything. I mean everything, off your computer. Don't leave one character of information or anything behind. Don't leave any of your belongings in the house. Don't leave any trace."
March 31, 2009: Fighter 2 and Fighter 3 die in a suicide truck bomb attack on a police complex in Mosul, Iraq. At least seven people were killed and 17 injured.
April 10, 2009: Fighter 4 dies in a suicide truck bomb attack near the U.S. Army's Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul. Five American soldiers and several Iraqi citizens died in the attack.
April 11, 2009: Sharif says to a co-conspirator, identified as Facilitator #3, "Did you hear about the huge incident yesterday? Is it known? … He was one of the Tunisian brothers."
May 28, 2010: Sharif tells his sister, who was living in Iraq, "Go learn about weapons and go attack the police and Americans. Let it be that you die."
Jan. 21, 2010: Sharif tells Facilitator #3 in Iraq to tell the one "in charge" that he, referring to himself, was "not just 100 per cent but 1,000,000 per cent with you. He is with you on the doctrine, the loyalty and the enmity and everything one million per cent." He also says, "Even if I can't work over there, I can work here .… I mean even if I can't work over there, I can get some business going here to benefit us."
Feb. 12, 2010: Sharif tells Facilitator #3, "If I come over there, you know, then I want the bride with the crown, not 70 at the beginning, you understand." The case file notes that "bride with a crown" refers to a telescopic rifle; the number 70 is a reference to 70 virgins in paradise and is used to refer to martyrdom or suicide operations.