Overview

• Cassim was formally charged on July 17 with hijacking and terrorism under Canada’s Criminal Code.
• He threatened a flight instructor to seize a Cessna 172 at Victoria International Airport and flew about 40 miles to Vancouver International Airport.
• The North American Aerospace Defense Command scrambled F-15s and Vancouver airport imposed a 39-minute ground stop that diverted nine inbound flights.
• Investigators cite his social media posts portraying him as a climate-change “messenger” and a religious “Messiah” as evidence of his ideological motive.
• No one was injured, commercial operations have resumed and security agencies are reviewing small-aircraft protocols ahead of his next court appearance.