HALIFAX – Ali Assakereh, a 54-year-old man accused of threatening to bomb the U.S. consulate in Halifax, made a court appearance via video link on Thursday morning. The hearing was quickly disrupted by Assakereh's complaints regarding audio issues during the proceedings.
Krysten Stevens, his legal aid lawyer, informed Provincial Court Judge Barbara Beach that Assakereh wished to be tried by a judge alone in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court and intended to plead not guilty. Judge Beach remarked that Assakereh would have to wait to enter his plea until the case was transferred to the higher court.
During the video hearing, Assakereh expressed his dissatisfaction by holding up a handwritten note to the camera, stating, "I no need to change court." In light of this unexpected development, Judge Beach rescheduled the matter for next month, emphasizing that Assakereh and his interpreter, who was conveying the proceedings in Farsi, should attend in person to minimize further confusion. Farsi is predominantly spoken in Iran.
Assakereh was arrested on August 10, 2026, after allegedly placing a propane tank and flammable liquids in his vehicle and parking it near the U.S. consulate, causing evacuations in significant areas of downtown Halifax. Fortunately, an explosives expert assessed that the propane and combustible materials in Assakereh's car did not pose a threat to public safety, allowing evacuation orders to be lifted later that day.
He faces multiple charges, including mischief, uttering threats, and a charge under a section of the Criminal Code that prohibits threats against internationally protected individuals, such as diplomats. The Crown has indicated that it interprets the latter charge as an act of terrorism, allowing them to pursue a potential penalty of up to life in prison, rather than the standard maximum of five years.
The alleged bomb threat incident occurred shortly after two suspects were charged with shooting at the U.S. consulate in Toronto in July 2026. This was the second incident involving the Toronto consulate this year. A 19-year-old and a 15-year-old boy are now facing over a dozen charges related to that shooting.
Earlier, on March 10, 2026, the consulate in Toronto had also been targeted; during that incident, two suspects were accused of firing multiple shots at the building. An 18-year-old and a 19-year-old are facing multiple charges in connection with that attack, although thankfully, no one was injured in either shooting.
The information gathered indicates the seriousness of threats against diplomatic institutions, highlighting ongoing security concerns. Authorities appear committed to addressing such incidents with appropriate legal measures to deter future threats.
