Suspect charged with hijacking in connection with security incident at YVR

A man has now been charged in connection with the security incident at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Tuesday afternoon.

Shaheer Cassim, 39, has been charged with hijacking after allegedly stealing a small plane from the Victoria Flying Club, flying it over the Salish Sea and eventually landing it at YVR.

Cassim made a brief court appearance on Wednesday afternoon and remains in custody.

According to public records, an order was made to determine whether Cassim is fit to stand trial.

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The Prosecution Service of Canada also indicates that this hijacking charge comes with terrorism implications.

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, a charge of hijacking could mean a person is sentenced to life in prison.

1:50 Pilot of small plane in custody after security incident at YVR

Cassim has previously been involved in climate activism.

In 2012, Cassim held a news conference in Victoria at the start of a cross-country bicycle trek to raise awareness of global warming.

–with files from The Canadian Press