Thursday, May 14, 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

Quick Sketch: Meet Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland

Quick Sketch: Meet Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland is touting her experience in government as evidence she can rebuild the Liberal party and steer the country through a perilous time. The former journalist built her career in Soviet Union, and worked personal connections to navigate the Donald Trump's first presidency — to the point of annoying him.

Quick Sketch: Meet Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland

B.C. paramedics say staffing nears 'critical' levels, affecting response times

B.C. paramedics say staffing nears 'critical' levels, affecting response times
The union representing almost 6,000 ambulance paramedics and dispatchers in British Columbia is sounding an alarm on staffing levels "reaching critical" in the province. In a statement, the Ambulance Paramedics of British Columbia CUPE 873 says members are reporting "dozens and dozens" of empty ambulances, with "hundreds" of unfilled positions across the province. 

B.C. paramedics say staffing nears 'critical' levels, affecting response times

B.C. premier should work with U.S., not ramp up trade threats: Opposition leader

B.C. premier should work with U.S., not ramp up trade threats: Opposition leader
In a video posted on social media, John Rustad says everything possible needs to be done to stop drugs from coming into the province and address issues at the ports, and that a trade war could cost tens of thousands of jobs.

B.C. premier should work with U.S., not ramp up trade threats: Opposition leader

Boat sinks after smouldering for three hours in Indian Arm waters

Boat sinks after smouldering for three hours in Indian Arm waters
A boat was destroyed in the waters of the Indian Arm fjord near North Vancouver's Deep Cove on Saturday afternoon after it caught fire, smouldered for over three hours and sank. A spokesperson for the Pacific region of the Fisheries Department says Canadian Coast Guard were advised of the burning boat just after noon on Jan. 18 and dispatched from the Kitsilano Base.

Boat sinks after smouldering for three hours in Indian Arm waters

Canada's privacy watchdog 'concerned' about students' personal info after data breach

Canada's privacy watchdog 'concerned' about students' personal info after data breach
The federal privacy watchdog says he's "concerned" about a data breach involving a student information system used across Canada, and his office is seeking more information from the U.S.-based company behind the targeted software. Privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne says his office is in touch with PowerSchool, which provides the affected platforms to schools across North America.

Canada's privacy watchdog 'concerned' about students' personal info after data breach

Donald Trump won't hit Canada with tariffs on his first day in office: reports

Donald Trump won't hit Canada with tariffs on his first day in office: reports
The New York Times and Wall Street Journal say incoming U.S. president Donald Trump won't slam Canada with damaging tariffs on his inauguration day. Both U.S. newspapers report Trump will instead sign an executive order today to investigate alleged unfair trade and currency practices by Canada, Mexico and China.

Donald Trump won't hit Canada with tariffs on his first day in office: reports