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

Ship stranded in St. Lawrence River

Ship stranded in St. Lawrence River
A second attempt to free a ship stuck in the St. Lawrence River northeast of Montreal won't take place until Sunday. The Canadian Coast Guard says the owner of the MV Maccoa plans to unload more than 3,000 metric tons of corn to lighten the weight of the vessel.

Ship stranded in St. Lawrence River

Saskatchewan United Party leader steps down

Saskatchewan United Party leader steps down
The leader of the Saskatchewan United Party says he's stepping aside after it failed to win any seats in October's provincial election. Jon Hromek says in a letter to party supporters that his decision to resign as leader and step away from the party was not made lightly. 

Saskatchewan United Party leader steps down

Climate change taking toll on Canada's lighthouses

Climate change taking toll on Canada's lighthouses
The recent decision to move a Nova Scotia lighthouse inland to prevent it from falling into the Bay of Fundy is highlighting the impact of climate change on the province's coastline. For more than 150 years, the Walton Harbour lighthouse stood watch from a cliff overlooking the bay -- but in recent years, coastal erosion had left the wooden tower perilously close to the edge.

Climate change taking toll on Canada's lighthouses

Rare cougar sighting reported in urban Vancouver, far from wilderness

Rare cougar sighting reported in urban Vancouver, far from wilderness
A rare cougar sighting has been reported in Vancouver's urban Dunbar neighbourhood. The BC Conservation Officer Service says in a statement that the big cat was reported on Dec. 26 around Blenheim Street between 26th and 36th Avenues.

Rare cougar sighting reported in urban Vancouver, far from wilderness

Governor General urges Canadians to care for their mental, physical health

Governor General urges Canadians to care for their mental, physical health
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is urging Canadians to treat their mental health with the same care as their physical health as they prepare for the year ahead. In a new year's message, Simon says she is thinking of all the inspiring people she met in 2024.

Governor General urges Canadians to care for their mental, physical health

B.C. police find 'ghost gun' in car after driver said she couldn't remember name

B.C. police find 'ghost gun' in car after driver said she couldn't remember name
The BC Highway Patrol says the incident happened in Fort St. John on Dec. 13, when an officer stopped the 39-year-old woman to check for impaired driving. Police say while the driver was not impaired, she told the officer she could not recall her name, prompting a vehicle search.

B.C. police find 'ghost gun' in car after driver said she couldn't remember name