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

B.C. provincial park evacuated, RCMP appeal for information on Squamish wildfire

An out-of-control wildfire near Squamish, B.C., has nearly tripled in size to 55 hectares and forced the evacuation of the nearby Alice Lake Provincial Park.

B.C. provincial park evacuated, RCMP appeal for information on Squamish wildfire

Victoria officer gets 7-day suspension over death of woman, hit by anti-riot rounds

A Victoria police officer who was found to have made a serious error in judgment when he fired an anti-riot weapon into a smoke-filled room in 2019, hitting a woman in the head and killing her, has been handed a seven-day suspension without pay.

Victoria officer gets 7-day suspension over death of woman, hit by anti-riot rounds

Prime Minister Carney and Alberta Premier Smith won't take in Stanley Cup Game 5

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says she and Prime Minister Mark Carney won't be watching the Edmonton Oilers battle the Florida Panthers on home ice Saturday.

Prime Minister Carney and Alberta Premier Smith won't take in Stanley Cup Game 5

Family says Canadian dentist was aboard Air India flight that crashed after takeoff

The Canadian citizen believed to be on an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff is a dentist from Mississauga, Ont., her family has confirmed.

Family says Canadian dentist was aboard Air India flight that crashed after takeoff

Poll suggests half of Canadians believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

A federal appeals court agreed on Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs will remain in place while a case is heard — extending an emergency stay granted after a lower court found the devastating duties unlawful.