Monday, December 22, 2025
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. temperatures hit mid-30s, but warm spell won't last

B.C. temperatures hit mid-30s, but warm spell won't last
Temperatures in parts of British Columbia have spiked into the mid-30s, but a meteorologist says the warm spell won't last long.

B.C. temperatures hit mid-30s, but warm spell won't last

Carney grilled on U.S. tariffs in his first question period in House of Commons

Carney grilled on U.S. tariffs in his first question period in House of Commons
Prime Minister Mark Carney fielded questions about the trade war with the United States and his decision to delay the federal budget to the fall as he faced his first question period grilling in the House of Commons Wednesday.

Carney grilled on U.S. tariffs in his first question period in House of Commons

Boy aged 4 dead, mother critical, after being pinned under bus at B.C. ferry terminal

Boy aged 4 dead, mother critical, after being pinned under bus at B.C. ferry terminal
Police say a four-year-old boy is dead and his mother is in critical condition after they were pinned under a bus in West Vancouver, B.C.

Boy aged 4 dead, mother critical, after being pinned under bus at B.C. ferry terminal

Bill fast-tracking infrastructure projects passes as Speaker Raj Chouhan breaks tie

Bill fast-tracking infrastructure projects passes as Speaker Raj Chouhan breaks tie
A controversial bill in British Columbia responding to American tariffs has passed with Speaker Raj Chouhan casting the deciding vote Wednesday evening. 

Bill fast-tracking infrastructure projects passes as Speaker Raj Chouhan breaks tie

Carney's cabinet ministers evade journalists' questions at defence industry show

Carney's cabinet ministers evade journalists' questions at defence industry show
For the second time in as many days, a member of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet cancelled media availabilities today and refused to take questions from reporters.

Carney's cabinet ministers evade journalists' questions at defence industry show

Provinces 'hold the key' to unlocking homebuilding, new report argues

Provinces 'hold the key' to unlocking homebuilding, new report argues
While the federal government and cities across Canada are making strides on expanding the housing supply, the provinces still need to get serious about building quality homes, a new report released Thursday argues.

Provinces 'hold the key' to unlocking homebuilding, new report argues