2 new charges laid against man accused in Halifax U.S. consulate bomb threat

Halifax police have filed two additional charges against Ali Assakereh, 54, in connection with a bomb threat aimed at the United States consulate in August. Assakereh was arrested on August 10 for allegedly leaving a propane tank and flammable liquids in his car near the consulate, causing the closure of several downtown streets for safety inspections. A suspicious bag was also discovered in the area.

Initially charged with uttering threats and public mischief on August 11, Assakereh was further charged on August 19 with threatening an internationally protected person under Section 424 of the Criminal Code of Canada. This charge is classified as a terrorism offense, potentially leading to an enhanced penalty of life imprisonment. Halifax Regional Police confirmed the filing of these two new charges related to hoax terrorist activity in a recent release.

Assakereh is set to make his court appearance in November. The Crown has emphasized that this charge falls under the category of terrorism offenses, enabling them to seek a more severe punishment.