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

Meet the 2025 DARPAN Power Women of Influence Panel

The Power Women of Influence Gala 2025 comprises of a power-packed panel that includes Roshaneh Zafar, Founder and MD, Kashf Foundation, Farah Mohamed, Senator and social entrepreneur, Belle Puri, CBC journalist, Anoop Virk, TEDx executive producer & award winning Canadian actress Supinder Wraich of CBC's TV show Allegiance. Robin Gill, former Global National reporter and anchor is panel moderator.

Meet the 2025 DARPAN Power Women of Influence Panel

RCMP in Northwest Territories believe fatal shooting tied to illicit drug trade

RCMP say the illicit drug trade could be tied to a shooting that killed one and injured two others in the Northwest Territories over the weekend. Officers were called to a home early Saturday morning in the hamlet of Fort Providence, where they found one person dead and two others injured.

RCMP in Northwest Territories believe fatal shooting tied to illicit drug trade

Ayurvedic medicine tainted with heavy metals in B.C., linked to lead poisoning case

Fraser Health says a case of lead poisoning in Surrey has been connected to unauthorized Ayurvedic alternative medicine, prompting a warning about the products being sold at a grocery store in the city. The health authority says the products that were sold at the All in One Wholesale Cash and Carry on 85th Ave. potentially contain heavy metals including mercury, lead and arsenic.

Ayurvedic medicine tainted with heavy metals in B.C., linked to lead poisoning case

B.C. resident returns library book 64 years later, credits it for saving lives

An 83-year-old British Columbia man has returned a book to the University of B.C. Library 64 years late, but he had a good excuse. Librarian Susan Parker received a package from Robert Murray in the mail with the book, a $100 cheque for late fees and an explanation.

B.C. resident returns library book 64 years later, credits it for saving lives

Carney says U.S. must stop 'disrespectful' comments before trade talks take place

Prime Minister Mark Carney says United States President Donald Trump will have to stop his "disrespectful" comments about Canada before any bilateral conversations take place. Carney says Canada wants to have a "more comprehensive discussion" with the Trump administration about the overall commercial and security relationship.

Carney says U.S. must stop 'disrespectful' comments before trade talks take place

AHS confirms cases of measles in Edmonton, public exposure possible in two locations

Alberta Health Services says it has confirmed multiple cases of measles in the Edmonton area. An advisory issued by the health authority Sunday warns that public exposure to the highly contagious disease may have occurred at two Edmonton locations last week.