A man from Halifax facing charges related to a bomb threat against the U.S. Consulate in the city’s downtown has been additionally charged with an act of terrorism. Ali Assakereh, 54, appeared in court for a bail hearing following the incident that led to a lockdown in the downtown area. The new charge accuses Assakereh of threatening an internationally protected person, with the U.S. Consulate property falling under this category as per the Criminal Code.
Federal Crown prosecutor Lee-Ann Conrod labeled the offense as a terrorist activity, emphasizing the seriousness of the charge. The maximum penalty for the offense is five years, as stated by Conrod. Initially, Assakereh was charged by the Halifax Regional Police with uttering threats and public mischief.
Assakereh’s bail hearing has been postponed four times since his arrest, and the new charge alters the bail conditions, requiring the accused to justify their release from custody. During his recent court appearance, Assakereh, dressed in a grey sweater and sweatpants, made his first in-person appearance. Despite attempting to address the court, the judge advised him to communicate through his legal counsel.
The events unfolded on August 10 when police discovered a suspicious vehicle near the U.S. Consulate containing a propane tank and flammable liquids, leading to a downtown lockdown for several hours. Assakereh was apprehended in the Clayton Park neighborhood shortly after the vehicle’s discovery, resulting in evacuations and closures in the vicinity. The lockdown was lifted once authorities confirmed there was no ongoing threat to public safety.
The case has garnered significant attention due to the serious nature of the charges and the impact on the downtown area. Further developments are expected as the legal proceedings continue.