Saturday, May 16, 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

Bank CEO worries shift to political uncertainty as mortgage risks ease

Bank CEO worries shift to political uncertainty as mortgage risks ease
The heads of Canada's biggest banks are finally seeing risks around mortgage renewals easing, only for worries about tariffs and political uncertainty to take their place. The worry comes as incoming U.S. president Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports over what he says is concerns around border security.

Bank CEO worries shift to political uncertainty as mortgage risks ease

Police in B.C. suspect homicide after body found in fire at Surrey abandoned house

Police in B.C. suspect homicide after body found in fire at Surrey abandoned house
Police in Surrey say homicide investigators have taken over the case of a body found after a fire was put out at an abandoned house over the weekend. Police say the death of man whose body was found inside the house in the 9800 block 138th Street is being treated as suspicious and the homicide investigation team has taken over the investigation.

Police in B.C. suspect homicide after body found in fire at Surrey abandoned house

Crackdown on retail theft in Richmond with a 22% increase in arrests for the crime

Crackdown on retail theft in Richmond with a 22% increase in arrests for the crime
Mounties in Richmond say a crackdown on retail theft in the city has been successful with a 22 per cent increase in arrests for the crime. RCMP officers responded to more than 17-hundred shoplifting reports in the city last year -- an increase of 25 per cent compared with 2023.

Crackdown on retail theft in Richmond with a 22% increase in arrests for the crime

Overnight shooting in Newton

Overnight shooting in Newton
Police in Surrey are investigating an overnight shooting at a home in the Newton neighbourhood. They say that shortly after one this morning, a resident on the 71-hundred block of 128th street reported coming home to find several gunshot holes in the side of their house.

Overnight shooting in Newton

With the House of Commons prorogued, some key Liberal legislation may not pass

With the House of Commons prorogued, some key Liberal legislation may not pass
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon granted Justin Trudeau's request Monday to prorogue Parliament until Mar. 24, suspending activities of the House of Commons while the Liberals move to replace him as both Liberal Leader and prime minister. The move means the legislative agenda will be reset once the House of Commons reconvenes in March and some key pieces of legislation for the government may die on the order paper. 

With the House of Commons prorogued, some key Liberal legislation may not pass

Trump responds to Trudeau's resignation with dig about 51st state

Trump responds to Trudeau's resignation with dig about 51st state
Trump reiterated his rhetoric about Canada joining the United States in a post on Truth Social after Trudeau’s announcement that he will resign as Liberal leader and prime minister as soon as a new leader is chosen.

Trump responds to Trudeau's resignation with dig about 51st state