The man accused of hijacking a small four-seater Cessna in Victoria and flying to Vancouver International Airport last week appeared by video in a Richmond court Tuesday morning.
Around 1:45 p.m. on July 15, the plane landed safely on a north runway, and the only person on board was arrested by police.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) says F-15 jets were deployed and en route to respond to the aircraft, but “the incident resolved before any NORAD assets arrived on scene.”
Mounties allege the suspect threatened a flight instructor before stealing the plane.
“Investigators have determined the suspect acted with an ideological motive to disrupt airspace,” said Richmond RCMP Sgt. Tammy Lobb, adding that no one was injured.
The incident caused delays and diversions at YVR.
The accused is 39-year-old Shaheer Cassim, who has previously been involved in climate activism. Cassim is now facing one charge of hijacking and one charge of damaging or interfering with a navigation system.
A Facebook account with the same name as Cassim made a post a day before the alleged hijacking, claiming he was sent to save humanity from climate change.
A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service says the hijacking charge constitutes a terrorism offence in Canada. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Cassim and a defence representative appeared in court Tuesday where they successfully requested that the matter be adjourned for one week to provide time to prepare a bail plan.
“Mr. Cassim has consented to remain in custody in the meantime,” his defence explained.
He is now expected to make a video appearance on July 29.
—With files from The Canadian Press