Alleged Hijacker Granted More Time to Prepare Bail Application

The man accused of hijacking a plane at Vancouver International Airport last month has been granted additional time for his legal team to prepare a bail application. Shaheer Cassim, a former commercial pilot, appeared virtually from Surrey Pretrial Centre during a brief session at a provincial court in Richmond, British Columbia, on August 18, 2025.

Cassim attended the hearing wearing an orange sweatsuit. During the less than five-minute video appearance, he confirmed that he could see and hear the judge, maintaining a composed posture with his hands on his knees. His legal representative, an articling student under the guidance of defence lawyer Kevin Westell, requested a two-week adjournment to further prepare for the bail application. The court accepted this request and scheduled Cassim’s next appearance for September 2, 2025.

Cassim is facing serious charges, including hijacking, which is classified as an act of terrorism, and interfering with a navigation system. The allegations stem from an incident on July 15, 2025, when Cassim is accused of taking a small aircraft from Victoria’s airport and flying it over Vancouver International Airport before landing and being arrested. Since his arrest, he has remained in custody at the Surrey facility, and his court documents are subject to publication bans, limiting the information available to the public.

This case has raised significant concerns regarding airport security and the implications of such acts on public safety. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus will remain on the upcoming hearings and the nature of the charges against Cassim.

This report was initially published by The Canadian Press.