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Khadr, 27, is serving an eight-year sentence in an Alberta federal prison after being transferred there from Guantanamo Bay, where he pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism. The Toronto-born youth was 15 when he was captured in Afghanistan following an intense firefight.

“They have no evidence,” Khadr’s lawyer Dennis Edney said from Edmonton. He said he had not been served with notice of a civil action against Khadr. “They are relying upon the tainted, internationally decried Guantanamo process.”

Khadr himself is trying to sue the federal government for $20 million for alleged violations of his rights by Canadian intelligence personnel while he was under American detention.

Photo by Colin Perkel/The Canadian Press

The new suit filed in Utah district court alleges Morris suffered severe and permanent injuries as a result of Khadr’s actions.

“Tabitha Speer has suffered the loss of financial support, loss of society, comfort, care, protection, marital relations, affection and companionship of her husband,” according to the suit.

Although Khadr apologized directly to Speer, a mother of two, when he was sentenced at Guantanamo, Winder said that wasn’t enough.

“Most of us understand that we should not be terrorists and murder and maim other people,” Mr. Winder said.

“He has not recognized the damage he has done.”

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The Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, enacted in 2012, allows U.S. victims to come to Canada to collect on judgments awarded by American courts, but the cases against the Khadrs are largely symbolic, since the family has limited means.