Judge gives Somali refugee criminal more time to fight deportation
The ruling comes as new immigration tribunal guidelines make it easier for convicted foreign nationals to seek delays while appealing their convictions.
A convicted drug trafficker and sex offender facing deportation has won more time to appeal his guilty pleas after arguing that his lawyer downplayed the immigration consequences of his crimes.
Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Kevin Feth granted Mahir Yahya Sharif an extension to appeal his 2022 convictions, warning that deportation could expose the seriously mentally ill refugee to grave danger, according to the National Post.
Sharif pleaded guilty to trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl to undercover officers, sexual assault, taxi fraud, theft under $5,000 and mischief. He served three years in prison.
The sexual assault involved Sharif digitally penetrating another patient for approximately 10 minutes while both were receiving psychiatric treatment, according to the ruling.
Sharif entered Canada through the refugee resettlement program in 2019 and was a permanent resident when convicted.
