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

Heat warning up for B.C.'s north coast, persisting until Tuesday

It says daytime temperatures are expected to be near 30 degrees Celsius with overnight lows in the mid-teens.

Heat warning up for B.C.'s north coast, persisting until Tuesday

Canada joins 24 nations calling on Israel to end war in Gaza, aid restrictions

The signatories — who include the foreign ministers of France, Japan and the U.K., and the European Union commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management — called Israel's aid distribution system "dangerous."

Canada joins 24 nations calling on Israel to end war in Gaza, aid restrictions

'Grossly exceeded': Fentanyl in air at Vancouver supportive housing offices

That is the among the findings of tests conducted at 14 British Columbia supportive housing facilities, results that contributed to the province's decision to form a working group aimed at tackling safety issues — including second-hand fentanyl exposure.

'Grossly exceeded': Fentanyl in air at Vancouver supportive housing offices

Crime Stoppers takes 'unusual step' of accepting tips from extortion victims

Executive director Linda Annis said Tuesday that they've received more than 70 extortion-related tips in the past 18 months or so, and have forwarded them all to police.

Crime Stoppers takes 'unusual step' of accepting tips from extortion victims

Toronto Boxing Day killer granted full parole 7 months before shooting

Seven months after getting parole, 43-year-old Jeremiah Valentine faces one count of first-degree murder in the killing of Abdeck Kenedith Ibrahim.

Toronto Boxing Day killer granted full parole 7 months before shooting

18th annual Surrey Fusion Festival returns to Holland Park on July 19

Attendees can experience this year’s theme, Flavours of the World, at over 50 cultural pavilions, who will offer their country’s tasty authentic cuisine.