Murder suspect pleads guilty to offering Crown witness bribe

Murder suspect Mohamad Rafih pleaded guilty Friday to offering a Crown witness a bribe to recant his statement against him.

Justice Karen Horner accepted a joint sentencing submission from defence lawyer Alain Hepner and Crown prosecutor Rajbir Dhillon for a sentence of one year in custody followed by a year of probation.

The only condition of the probation, which will likely be served in custody while Rafih awaits trial next May, is that he can have no contact with the witness.

With credit for pretrial custody, Rafih has 2 ½ months left to serve on the obstruction charge, but he remains detained on the murder allegation.

According to a statement of agreed facts, Rafih contacted Youssef Belkaziz from the Calgary Remand Centre and asked him to recant his statement to police.

Rafih contacted Belkaziz through a third party three days after his arrest last Nov. 16, in the April 30, 2017, shooting death of Timothy Voytilla.

While at the Calgary Remand Centre, Rafih contacted Belkaziz, the prosecutor said.

“Mr. Rafih asked Mr. Belkaziz to recant his statement by coming to Mr. Rafih’s upcoming court appearance and say that he was on drugs when he provided his statement to CPS,” Dhillon said.

“Mr. Rafih offered to pay Mr. Belkaziz $20,000, then $50,000 for him to do so.”

The conversation was captured by remand centre recording equipment, which advises inmates their telephone conversations are recorded, Dhillon said.

Police obtained copies of the conversation.