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Ex-pilot called himself messiah on climate-change mission, day before alleged hijack

GREATER VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, JUL 17 – Cassim claimed climate change motives and was charged with hijacking and terrorism after Norad scrambled fighter jets to intercept the plane, authorities said.

  • On Tuesday, Shaheer Cassim allegedly seized control of a Cessna at Victoria International Airport after threatening a flight instructor, triggering Norad to scramble F-15 fighter jets, and ending with a safe landing at Vancouver International Airport.
  • In a Monday Facebook post, Shaheer Cassim claimed to be the `messiah sent to save humanity from climate change and usher in an era of world peace`, warned of `abrupt runaway global warming`, and maintained an Arctic climate blog with hundreds of posts since 2011.
  • Diana Banke said Cassim brought a dog along on that long bicycle trek, worked for KD Air from 2008 to 2010, and held a 2012 news conference before a cross-country bicycle ride.
  • The Prosecution Service of Canada said the hijacking charge carries terrorism implications, Shaheer Cassim made a brief court appearance Wednesday and remains in custody, and under the Criminal Code he could face a life sentence.
  • His post titled `Will humans go extinct soon?` underscores his apocalyptic outlook, with the Arctic News blog listing over 30 contributors from Canada, the US, and the UK, and social media images show his arrest on YVR’s north runway.
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Winnipeg Free Press broke the news in Winnipeg, Canada on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
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