Wednesday, December 10, 2025
ADVT 
National

Lawyers for alleged B.C. hijacker get more time to prepare bail application

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Aug, 2025 11:07 AM
  • Lawyers for alleged B.C. hijacker get more time to prepare bail application

The man accused of hijacking a plane and triggering a security scare at Vancouver International Airport last month appeared briefly at a provincial court in Richmond, B.C., where his lawyers were granted an adjournment.

Shaheer Cassim attended the court virtually from Surrey Pretrial Centre wearing an orange sweatsuit.

He acknowledged he could see and hear the judge, and sat with his hands on his knees throughout the short video appearance, which lasted less than five minutes.

An articling student representing Cassim's defence lawyer, Kevin Westell, asked the court for a two-week adjournment as they continue to prepare a bail application.

The agent confirmed Cassim had agreed to remain in custody until his next appearance, which the judge scheduled for Sept. 2.

Cassim is a former commercial pilot who faces charges for allegedly taking a small aircraft from Victoria's airport on July 15 and flying it over the Vancouver airport before he was arrested upon landing.

The 39-year-old has been in custody at the pretrial facility in Surrey since his arrest and his court files have been placed under publication bans. 

He's been charged with hijacking, which is an offence constituting terrorism, and with damaging or interfering with a navigation system.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

MORE National ARTICLES

Carney, Zelenskyy talk as world leaders prepare for Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine war

Carney, Zelenskyy talk as world leaders prepare for Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine war
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are preparing to meet in person in Alaska on Friday.

Carney, Zelenskyy talk as world leaders prepare for Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine war

Officials say out-of-control wildfire on Vancouver Island will cause more smoke

Officials say out-of-control wildfire on Vancouver Island will cause more smoke
Madison Dahl, fire information officer with the BC Wildfire Service, said in a media update Saturday that the Wesley Ridge fire near Cameron Lake has grown "minimally" to 5.8 square kilometres from 5.71 square kilometres Friday morning, with the growth limited to steep backcountry.

Officials say out-of-control wildfire on Vancouver Island will cause more smoke

Man out on release for violent offence arrested after stabbing in Abbotsford, B.C.

Man out on release for violent offence arrested after stabbing in Abbotsford, B.C.
Emergency crews discovered the injured man following what police say was an "altercation with an unknown individual attempting to steal from the premises."

Man out on release for violent offence arrested after stabbing in Abbotsford, B.C.

10th most wanted man in Canada arrested at Montreal airport: police

10th most wanted man in Canada arrested at Montreal airport: police
Quebec provincial police say officers from the Sûreté du Québec Airport Unit, the Mascouche Major Crime Investigation Division and the Canada Border Services Agency arrested Jonathan Ouellet-Gendron on several Canada-wide warrants at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport on Saturday.

10th most wanted man in Canada arrested at Montreal airport: police

The controversy over Canada's rules on military exports to Israel, explained

The controversy over Canada's rules on military exports to Israel, explained
"I'm horrified to hear this news about certain arms exports and parts going to Israel, directly or indirectly," Sen. Yuen Pau Woo said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

The controversy over Canada's rules on military exports to Israel, explained

Carney maintains positive approval rating despite summer cooldown: poll

Carney maintains positive approval rating despite summer cooldown: poll
The Carney-led Liberal government's approval rating dipped to 50 per cent in the firm's latest polling, down two percentage points compared to mid-July and the lowest level since March.

Carney maintains positive approval rating despite summer cooldown: poll