Tuesday, December 23, 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

Former journalist Evan Solomon named first-ever federal AI minister

Former journalist Evan Solomon named first-ever federal AI minister
Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched a new artificial intelligence ministry and has named former journalist Evan Solomon to lead it.

Former journalist Evan Solomon named first-ever federal AI minister

They were men, not boys, complainant tells hockey players' sex assault trial

They were men, not boys, complainant tells hockey players' sex assault trial
A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by five former world junior hockey players told their trial Tuesday they were men, not boys, at the time of the alleged incident.

They were men, not boys, complainant tells hockey players' sex assault trial

Prime Minister Mark Carney says new cabinet will act with 'urgency and determination'

Prime Minister Mark Carney says new cabinet will act with 'urgency and determination'
Prime Minister Mark Carney shook up his cabinet Tuesday by moving some key players involved in Canada-U.S. relations into new positions and promoting 24 new faces in a move meant to signal change at the top.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says new cabinet will act with 'urgency and determination'

Family of B.C. pastor killed in crash angry as driver found not responsible

Family of B.C. pastor killed in crash angry as driver found not responsible
The family of a B.C. pastor killed in a fiery crash near the Peace Arch border crossing says justice hasn't been served after the man implicated in the death was found not criminally responsible for his actions. 

Family of B.C. pastor killed in crash angry as driver found not responsible

B.C., federal government support dredging Vancouver's Burrard Inlet, others opposed

B.C., federal government support dredging Vancouver's Burrard Inlet, others opposed
British Columbia's energy minister is backing plans to dredge and deepen Vancouver's Burrard Inlet to accommodate fully loaded oil tankers, despite concerns from environmentalists, experts and First Nations.

B.C., federal government support dredging Vancouver's Burrard Inlet, others opposed

'We're Canadians': Some Albertans divided about separation in cross-province checkup

'We're Canadians': Some Albertans divided about separation in cross-province checkup
Row after row of Canadian flags fly high atop tall poles over manicured lawns in a southern Alberta town that's also home to the province's premier, her husband and their dog.

'We're Canadians': Some Albertans divided about separation in cross-province checkup