All Three Men in Sharif Rahman Homicide Case Consent to Extradition to Canada
All three men accused in Sharif Rahman’s 2023 killing consented to extradition to Canada in a Scottish court, pending final confirmation by the Scottish Ministers.
All three men accused in the August 2023 killing of Owen Sound restaurateur Sharif Rahman appeared this morning before Sheriff Julius Komorowski at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where each consented to extradition to Canada.
Robert Busby Evans, also known as Justin Jones, 48, appeared first at 11:30 a.m. local time, followed by his son Robert Evans Jr., also known as Michael Jones, 25, and his brother Barry Evans, 54.
Each man signed and verbally confirmed a written statement indicating they understood the consent was irrevocable, that there would be no appeal or further hearings in Scotland, and that they would remain in custody until extradited to Canada to stand trial.
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Four women dressed in black — three of whom have attended previous hearings— sat in the public gallery alongside two men also seen at earlier court dates. The women and men sat separately on opposite sides of the gallery.
Evans Sr., clean-shaven and wearing a dark blue sweater, was the first to sign the consent form. Sheriff Komorowski read the document aloud and asked him to confirm his understanding before ordering him remanded back into custody.
Evans Jr. entered the courtroom at 11:42 a.m. wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt. A woman in the gallery wept openly as he signed and submitted his consent, leaving the courtroom in tears as he was handcuffed and led out.
At 11:51 a.m., Barry Evans appeared wearing a long-sleeved black shirt. His advocate confirmed he also wished to consent to extradition.
During each man’s appearance, Sheriff Komorowski read a letter from Canadian authorities dated October 3, 2025, which provided an assurance that if the men are convicted in Canada, a recommendation will be made to the sentencing judge that time served in custody in Scotland be deducted from any eventual sentence, though the letter noted this is not a guarantee.
There was no mention of prison-condition assurances during the hearing. The court confirmed that, with the men’s consent given, those assurances were no longer an issue in the extradition process.
Proceedings concluded at 11:55 a.m., less than 20 minutes after they began. All three men were remanded back into custody to await the decision of the Scottish Ministers, the final step before extradition to Canada.
When asked to provide a statement to the media, family members and lawyers of the accused declined.
The court confirmed that Barry Evans has been in custody since October 29, 2024, and that Robert Evans Jr. and Robert Busby Evans have been held since July 30, 2024.
Owen Sound Current is seeking a copy of the October 3 letter submitted by Canadian authorities to the court.
Background
Canadian prosecutors allege that three men — including Evans Jr. and Barry Evans, alongside another family member who was not charged — dined at The Curry House in downtown Owen Sound on August 17, 2023.
Investigators say a dispute began after the men allegedly refused to pay their bill, leading to a violent altercation outside the restaurant.
Sharif Rahman, 44, was reportedly struck, fell to the ground, and sustained severe head injuries. He died a week later in a trauma centre several hours from home.
An international warrant was issued soon after. The men were later arrested in Edinburgh and Dalkeith, Scotland.
Next steps
The case now moves to the Scottish Ministers, who must approve the extradition order. Once signed, arrangements will be made to return the men to Canada, where they are expected to stand trial: Robert Evans Jr. on a manslaughter charge, and Robert Busby Evans and Barry Evans on charges of accessory after the fact to manslaughter.
Robert Currie, professor of transnational criminal law at Dalhousie University, told Owen Sound Current he expects that the Evans men will be surrendered to Canada in weeks, if not days.
“Now that the individuals sought have consented to extradition, things will move very quickly since the court proceedings will be much shorter,” Currie said, noting that he was surprised the prison conditions assurances had been taken off the table.
Owen Sound Current will continue reporting as further information becomes available.
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