Sunday, May 10, 2026
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

B.C. accepting only 1,100 new immigrant applications, nominations to focus on health

B.C. accepting only 1,100 new immigrant applications, nominations to focus on health
The odds of new applications from immigrants being accepted into British Columbia's nominee program this year have dropped to near zero for anyone other than health workers or entrepreneurs.

B.C. accepting only 1,100 new immigrant applications, nominations to focus on health

B.C. to change law to stop employers from asking for 'unnecessary' doctor sick notes

B.C. to change law to stop employers from asking for 'unnecessary' doctor sick notes
She said employers may have been "quite concerned" about employees using sick days inappropriately, but disallowing them from requiring notes "is a big move in the right direction." 

B.C. to change law to stop employers from asking for 'unnecessary' doctor sick notes

Smith's Alberta government unveils promised mandatory addiction treatment law

Smith's Alberta government unveils promised mandatory addiction treatment law
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has introduced promised legislation to allow for people to be forced into addiction treatment facilities. If the bill passes, parents, family members, health-care professionals, police or peace officers can apply for a treatment order from a new provincial commission.

Smith's Alberta government unveils promised mandatory addiction treatment law

Here's how people without ID or fixed address can vote in the federal election

Here's how people without ID or fixed address can vote in the federal election
Anyone who wants to register to vote in the April 28 federalelection has to be able to prove who they are and where they live.Elections Canada realizes both of those things can be a challenge for someone without a home or standard ID cards, said spokesperson Diane Benson.

Here's how people without ID or fixed address can vote in the federal election

Do you eat a meal in 20 minutes or less? It might be time to slow down

Do you eat a meal in 20 minutes or less? It might be time to slow down
Experts tend to focus on the kinds of foods you can eat to improve your health. But the speed at which you devour your dinner matters just as much. There are risks with eating too fast — think stuck food and the potential to overeat before your brain tells you to stop. (Inhaling your food also risks annoying your slower-paced dining companions or the person who took the time to cook your meal.)

Do you eat a meal in 20 minutes or less? It might be time to slow down

Bank of Canada holds key rate steady amid trade war, economic uncertainty

Bank of Canada holds key rate steady amid trade war, economic uncertainty
The Bank of Canada left its benchmark interest rateunchanged Wednesday as it waits to get a clearer picture ofhow global trade uncertainty is going to impact the Canadian economy.

Bank of Canada holds key rate steady amid trade war, economic uncertainty