Saturday, February 7, 2026
ADVT 
National

Vancouver airport hijack suspect in brief B.C. court appearance, lawyer to seek bail

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Jul, 2025 11:43 AM
  • Vancouver airport hijack suspect in brief B.C. court appearance, lawyer to seek bail

The man accused of allegedly hijacking a plane that triggered a security incident at Vancouver International Airport appeared briefly in a provincial court in Richmond, B.C., where his lawyer says they're working on a plan to have him released on bail. 

Shaheer Cassim was dressed in an orange prison outfit and acknowledged he could see and hear the judge, who scheduled another appearance for Cassim in two weeks.

An agent for Cassim's defence lawyer Kevin Westell says they'll take the time to work on a bail plan for the 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 hearing Tuesday lasted minutes before the case was put over until Aug. 12, and the Crown prosecutor gave no indication whether bail for Cassim would be supported or opposed. 

Cassim, who is 39 years old, has been in custody at a 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

Rustad says staff won't give RCMP 'blackmail' statement as leadership vote begins

Rustad says staff won't give RCMP 'blackmail' statement as leadership vote begins
Rustad, whose leadership of the Opposition is under review in a months-long process that got underway last weekend, has faced questions over his handling of the allegations against a group of former Conservative MLAs he accused in a letter to his caucus.

Rustad says staff won't give RCMP 'blackmail' statement as leadership vote begins

Alberta's auditor general granted extra $1M for health procurement probe

Alberta's auditor general granted extra $1M for health procurement probe
His investigation began earlier this year as a result of allegations made by the former head of Alberta Health Services, the provincial health authority.

Alberta's auditor general granted extra $1M for health procurement probe

RCMP identify second victim of Banff rockfall as man, 33, from Surrey, B.C.

RCMP identify second victim of Banff rockfall as man, 33, from Surrey, B.C.
The second deceased person has previously been identified as 70-year-old Jutta Hinrichs, a retired university professor from Calgary.

RCMP identify second victim of Banff rockfall as man, 33, from Surrey, B.C.

Canada signs security and defence partnership with Europe

Canada signs security and defence partnership with Europe
The agreement commits them to collaborate more on defence and is a step toward Canada participating in the continent's massive new defence procurement program, known as ReArm Europe.

Canada signs security and defence partnership with Europe

Canada starts busing citizens out of Israel days after allies began

Canada starts busing citizens out of Israel days after allies began
Last Thursday, Anand announced that Canadian consular officials would be standing by at border crossings to help citizens who fled Israel or Iran to reach Canada through commercial means.

Canada starts busing citizens out of Israel days after allies began

Police in B.C. say suspect known as 'Mr. X' in 1985 Air India bombing is dead

Police in B.C. say suspect known as 'Mr. X' in 1985 Air India bombing is dead
The bomb on Air India Flight 182 exploded over the Atlantic Ocean, killing everyone on board, while a second suitcase bomb exploded before being transferred onto an Air India jet, killing two baggage handlers in Tokyo's Narita Airport. 

Police in B.C. say suspect known as 'Mr. X' in 1985 Air India bombing is dead