The mother of one of the victims killed in a 2009 suicide bombing in
Iraq is speaking out, after a judge ordered a man accused in the case be
extradited to the United States to stand trial.

Friday
afternoon, an Edmonton judge ruled there was enough evidence to
extradite Sayfildin Tahir Sharif to the United States to face terrorism
charges.

Sharif is accused of conspiracy to kill Americans and
supporting a terror group that took part in the suicide bombing in his
native Iraq. A truck filled with explosives was detonated at a military
checkpoint, killing five U.S. soldiers.

It's been a very
difficult few years for the families of the slain soldiers. 24-year-old
Staff Sergeant Gary Lee Woods Jr. was one of the victims. His mother,
Becky Johnson, spoke to Global News on Friday, saying she was overcome
with emotions.

"I didn't know whether to cry or jump or dance or
scream out to the world because, it just excited me so much. That is
what I needed to hear."

She says every time Sharif's name is
brought up in the news, the pain of her son's death is brought right
back to the top of her mind. Friday's news however, finally brought her a
small glimpse of hope.

"I'm finally to the place where I can
take a breath and say there's a light at the end of the tunnel that I
have been in for so long," Johnson said adding, "I know that my son is
finally going to get to rest."

The case will now go to federal
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson for a final decision on whether the
40-year-old will be sent to New York to face trial.

Johnson says if and when that happens, she will be in New York for the trial.

If convicted of terrorism charges in the United States, Sharif could face a maximum life sentence.



http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/mother+of+slain+soldier+speaks+about+decision+to+extradite+terror+suspect/6442737293/story.html