Tuesday, May 12, 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

Intense pollen season to begin in southwest B.C. this weekend, expert warns

Intense pollen season to begin in southwest B.C. this weekend, expert warns
Get your tissues and allergy medicines ready if you live in southwestern British Columbia, where an expert predicts an intense pollen season is on the way. Cold weather had held the pollen count at bay until recently, but an Ontario-based lab that monitors airborne pollen levels with a network of 30 stations across Canada said its latest report shows Vancouver, Burnaby and Victoria will all experience a significant spike in pollen starting this weekend and in the weeks ahead. 

Intense pollen season to begin in southwest B.C. this weekend, expert warns

Trump calls Freeland 'a whack' and Poilievre 'not a MAGA guy' as tariff threat looms

Trump calls Freeland 'a whack' and Poilievre 'not a MAGA guy' as tariff threat looms
U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing in on domestic Canadian politics as his deadline to impose steep tariffs on Canada inches closer. In an interview with The Spectator, Trump called Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland terrible and "a whack" — and claimed credit for her resignation as finance minister.

Trump calls Freeland 'a whack' and Poilievre 'not a MAGA guy' as tariff threat looms

Ottawa posts $21.7 billion deficit for April-to-December period

Ottawa posts $21.7 billion deficit for April-to-December period
The federal government posted a budgetary deficit of $21.7 billion for the April-to-December period of its 2024-25 fiscal year. The result compared with a deficit of $23.6 billion for the same period a year earlier.

Ottawa posts $21.7 billion deficit for April-to-December period

Group files complaint to B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to remove drug clinic access fees

Group files complaint to B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to remove drug clinic access fees
A complaint has been filed with British Columbia's Human Right Tribunal over clinic fees paid by some of those who get opioid treatments. Vancouver lawyer Jason Gratl says his clients, Garth Mullins and the B.C. Association for People on Opioid Maintenance, have filed the complaint on behalf of those "who paid out-of-pocket private clinic access fees" for opioid agonist treatments.

Group files complaint to B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to remove drug clinic access fees

From boom to bust: Alberta economy back in the red with $5.2-billion deficit budget

From boom to bust: Alberta economy back in the red with $5.2-billion deficit budget
Alberta’s finances, tied for generations to the steep peaks and sharp valleys of oil and gas prices, are once again plunging deep into deficit, with no immediate relief in sight. Finance Minister Nate Horner introduced a budget Thursday that projects a $5.2-billion deficit this fiscal year on total spending of $79 billion.

From boom to bust: Alberta economy back in the red with $5.2-billion deficit budget

'Do better': Murder victims' families react after possible remains found in landfill

'Do better': Murder victims' families react after possible remains found in landfill
The Manitoba government, which is spearheading the search with guidance from family members and First Nations leaders, announced Wednesday that suspected human remains had been discovered at the site.  It could take weeks for coroners to make a positive identification.

'Do better': Murder victims' families react after possible remains found in landfill