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

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking
A "significant portion" of opioids prescribed by doctors and pharmacists in British Columbia are being diverted, and prescribed alternatives are being trafficked provincially, nationally and internationally, a Ministry of Health investigative unit says.

B.C. investigates 'significant' opioid diversion, including international trafficking

MPs reject Trump's idea of clearing out Gaza as Israeli minister points to Canada

MPs reject Trump's idea of clearing out Gaza as Israeli minister points to Canada
Canadian politicians are pushing back on the idea of clearing Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip as an Israeli minister suggests some of them could be sent to Canada. The previous day, U.S. President Donald Trump stunned leaders across the Middle East and beyond when he suggested that the territory be cleared out and made into a U.S.-owned resort destination.

MPs reject Trump's idea of clearing out Gaza as Israeli minister points to Canada

Ottawa, provinces should discuss possibility of west-east oil pipeline: Wilkinson

Ottawa, provinces should discuss possibility of west-east oil pipeline: Wilkinson
Federal Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says Ottawa and the provinces should discuss the possibility of an oil pipeline to Eastern Canada to improve energy security and diversify trade. Wilkinson said Thursday that United States President Donald Trump's tariff threats have exposed "vulnerabilities" in the Canadian economy, including in the energy sector. 

Ottawa, provinces should discuss possibility of west-east oil pipeline: Wilkinson

Federal government commits more than $160 million to Jasper recovery

Federal government commits more than $160 million to Jasper recovery
The fire-ravaged town of Jasper, Alta., has received two pieces of critical funding from the federal and provincial governments as it attempts to stabilize in the wake of last summer's devastating wildfire. The federal government announced on Thursday it's committing $162 million to the recovery in Jasper, Alta. — a portion of which is being dedicated to interim and long-term housing.

Federal government commits more than $160 million to Jasper recovery

Fast-track approval no guarantee of success for B.C. mines, researcher suggests

Fast-track approval no guarantee of success for B.C. mines, researcher suggests
The mining industry is applauding the British Columbia government's decision to fast-track permits for several projects amid the ongoing U.S. tariff threat, but research suggests economic factors have been behind long delays for many other proposals. Simon Fraser University associate professor Rosemary Collard says research shows that regulatory fast-tracking of mining projects is no guarantee that they will all materialize.

Fast-track approval no guarantee of success for B.C. mines, researcher suggests

Former human rights chief commissioner sues for defamation

Former human rights chief commissioner sues for defamation
At a press conference Thursday, Birju Dattani spoke about lawsuits he has filed against Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman, media personality Ezra Levant and the Jewish advocacy group Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs over statements made about him on social media last year. One of the defendants has called Dattani's claims "baseless."

Former human rights chief commissioner sues for defamation