VANCOUVER — A former commercial pilot has been charged with hijacking and terrorism after allegedly seizing a light aircraft in Victoria. This incident triggered a significant security alert at Vancouver International Airport on Tuesday. The accused, identified as Shaheer Cassim, has a history of climate activism. In 2012, he gained attention for a cross-country bicycle trek aimed at raising awareness about global warming.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada confirmed the charges, linking them to a case in B.C. Provincial Court. The aircraft involved was a Cessna owned by the Victoria Flying Club. In response to the hijacking, Norad scrambled F-15 fighter jets, but the plane managed to land safely, and Cassim was arrested before the jets arrived.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a specific motive for the alleged hijacking. However, a recorded conversation between a Vancouver air traffic controller and Cassim suggests that the incident may have been driven by “some type of protest.” The investigation is ongoing as law enforcement continues to gather information regarding the circumstances surrounding the event.