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

Police investigate 'suspicious' fires in three Langley, B.C., homes

Police investigate 'suspicious' fires in three Langley, B.C., homes
Mounties in Langley, B.C., say they are investigating three separate house fires that broke out early Tuesday.

Police investigate 'suspicious' fires in three Langley, B.C., homes

Alberta Premier Smith expects key industries to escape imposition of new U.S. tariffs

Alberta Premier Smith expects key industries to escape imposition of new U.S. tariffs
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she expects some major industries, including those in her province, won't face new tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Alberta Premier Smith expects key industries to escape imposition of new U.S. tariffs

Drivers look for relief at the pump after B.C. ends consumer carbon tax

Drivers look for relief at the pump after B.C. ends consumer carbon tax
British Columbia drivers looked to the gas pumps Tuesday for a sign of tax relief after the early-morning approval of legislation that ended the province's consumer carbon tax after 17 years.

Drivers look for relief at the pump after B.C. ends consumer carbon tax

Remove drugs from potential retaliatory tariffs list, pharmacists urge

Remove drugs from potential retaliatory tariffs list, pharmacists urge
The Canadian Pharmacists Association is urging the federal government to remove all drug-related products from its list of potential retaliatory tariffs against the U.S.

Remove drugs from potential retaliatory tariffs list, pharmacists urge

White House says 'no exemptions' as Canada braces for new wave of U.S. tariffs

White House says 'no exemptions' as Canada braces for new wave of U.S. tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday provided few details of his plan this week to upend global trade through "reciprocal" tariffs as the White House confirmed there's been no decision on whether a pause on economy-wide duties against Canada will be lifted.

White House says 'no exemptions' as Canada braces for new wave of U.S. tariffs

Carney promises home building program, Poilievre pitches national energy corridor

Carney promises home building program, Poilievre pitches national energy corridor
Liberal Leader Mark Carney promised Monday to get the federal government back into the business of home building, while Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives pitched a national energy corridor to fast-track approval of key infrastructure.

Carney promises home building program, Poilievre pitches national energy corridor