National

B.C. court records show second charge against alleged hijacker Shaheer Cassim

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Jul, 2025 05:03 PM

The man accused of hijacking a plane and triggering a security scare at Vancouver International Airport last week faces a second charge related to the rogue flight.

B.C. online court records say a charge of damaging or interfering with a navigation system was sworn Friday against Shaheer Cassim.

Cassim was arrested July 15 after allegedly threatening a flight instructor at Victoria International Airport, seizing control of a Cessna, then circling the plane over Vancouver's airport before landing and being arrested by police.

Police say the 39-year-old had an "ideological motive to disrupt airspace" and announced a charge of hijacking the day after the flight.

Both charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Cassim is a former commercial airline pilot who posted on social media the day before the airport security scare that he was a "messenger of Allah" sent to save humanity from catastrophic climate change.

Cassim is expected to appear in Provincial Court in Richmond, B.C., on Tuesday.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Carney, Poilievre talk seniors, national parks, resource project approvals in B.C.

The Liberal and Conservative leaders both started the third week of the federal election campaign in British Columbia — a battleground province with 43 seats up for grabs when Canadians go to the polls.

Carney, Poilievre talk seniors, national parks, resource project approvals in B.C.

Smith takes swipe at Carney after Liberal leader jabs Alberta premier on the stump

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is fighting back after federal Liberal Leader Mark Carney mocked her during an election campaign stop, accusing him of being intimidated by a "strong conservative woman."

Smith takes swipe at Carney after Liberal leader jabs Alberta premier on the stump

Carney, Singh pledge support for CBC to defend sovereignty, fight misinformation

Liberal Leader Mark Carney and the NDP's Jagmeet Singh expressed support Friday for federal spending to ensure a strong national public broadcaster, a notion Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre dismissed as something Canada simply can't afford.

Carney, Singh pledge support for CBC to defend sovereignty, fight misinformation

Talks with Americans helped Canada avoid extra Trump tariffs: Saskatchewan premier

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he remains concerned with U.S. tariffs on Canadian products but thinks talking with American officials helped Canada avoid a worse outcome.

Talks with Americans helped Canada avoid extra Trump tariffs: Saskatchewan premier

Alberta, nurses union reach four-year deal, pay increases up to 20 per cent

Alberta's nurses union has signed a four-year contract with the province after months of bargaining and mediation.

Alberta, nurses union reach four-year deal, pay increases up to 20 per cent

Double blow as S&P and Moody's downgrade B.C.'s credit rating again, citing deficit

Credit rating agencies S&P and Moody's have both downgraded British Columbia's rating on the same day, citing the province's ballooning deficit and the apparent lack of a plan to dig the province out of its fiscal hole.