Alberta Judge Grants Appeal Extension to Refugee Convicted of Sexual Assault, Drug Trafficking Over Deportation Concerns

An Alberta judge has granted Mahir Yahya Sharif, who pleaded guilty to sexual assault and drug trafficking in 2022, an extension to appeal his convictions. Sharif claims his lawyer misled him about the potential deportation consequences of his guilty pleas. Justice Kevin Feth found that the interests of justice supported allowing Sharif to challenge his pleas, especially as he faces deportation to Somalia.

• Mahir Yahya Sharif, a refugee, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and drug trafficking in 2022.
• Sharif was sentenced to three years in prison and faces deportation to Somalia.
• An Alberta judge granted Sharif an extension to appeal his convictions.
• Sharif claims his lawyer misled him about deportation consequences.
• The judge cited the interests of justice in allowing the appeal challenge.