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

Grizzly on island is safety risk, cannot be relocated, B.C. conservation officers say

British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service says a grizzly that has stalked people, harassed livestock and damaged property on an island is not a candidate for relocation.

Grizzly on island is safety risk, cannot be relocated, B.C. conservation officers say

Weekend rain, cooler conditions allow crews to make progress on B.C. wildfires

Firefighters are marking success in opposite corners of British Columbia after favourable weather this weekend allowed crews to rein in two prominent fires that have triggered evacuation orders and alerts.

Weekend rain, cooler conditions allow crews to make progress on B.C. wildfires

Surrey, B.C., police launch team to counter extortions in South Asian community

A series of reports of extortion from people and businesses in the South Asian community has prompted a wider investigation by police in Surrey, B.C.

Surrey, B.C., police launch team to counter extortions in South Asian community

Police warn of hundreds of Hells Angels in Surrey, B.C., this weekend

Police in Surrey, B.C., are warning residents about hundreds of Hells Angels who have arrived in the city, saying they have a history as "perpetrators and attractors of violence."

Police warn of hundreds of Hells Angels in Surrey, B.C., this weekend

B.C. Independent MLAs start new party to 'combat the globalist assault'

Two former members of the B.C. Conservatives who have been sitting as Independents for months say they are launching a new provincial political party.

B.C. Independent MLAs start new party to 'combat the globalist assault'

Downtown businesses in Vancouver, Victoria decry desperate public safety situation

Alan Goodall has owned the Aura nightclub in Vancouver's entertainment district for 16 years, and says the situation for his business has never been worse.