Police and court filings show a Halifax man arrested after an incident that shut down part of downtown earlier this month remains in custody because his legal team is not yet prepared to seek bail.
On Aug. 10, the man, identified in court records as 54‑year‑old Ali Assakereh, was arrested after Royal Canadian Mounted Police say a propane tank and flammable liquids were discovered in his vehicle near the U.S. Consulate in Halifax. The presence of those items prompted a temporary closure of nearby streets while emergency responders investigated.
Charges include allegation tied to terrorist activity
Assakereh is charged with a number of offences, according to his lawyer and court documents. Among them is an offence that relates to threats against internationally protected persons, which prosecutors have classified as conduct associated with terrorist activity.
At a court appearance this week, the accused did not seek bail. His legal aid lawyer told the court they have been working with the family to prepare a bail plan but that it is not ready to be filed.
"He's been working with the accused's family on a bail plan, but it won't be ready for some time."
The lawyer indicated Assakereh has agreed to remain in custody and that counsel will notify the court when — or if — they are prepared to pursue bail. The case is scheduled to return to provincial court on Sept. 10, when the accused is expected to enter a plea and advise the court on his choice of trial format.
Local impact and public safety
Incidents near diplomatic missions are treated seriously by police because of potential national and international implications. The temporary lockdown of streets around the consulate disrupted traffic and raised concerns among downtown residents and workers while authorities secured the scene and assessed the risk.
Police have not released additional operational details publicly about the investigation beyond the description of items found in the vehicle. Prosecutors must now decide how to proceed with the charges, and the Crown will have to disclose evidence to the defence as part of pre‑trial procedures.
What we know so far
- Arrest date: Aug. 10
- Accused: Ali Assakereh, 54, of Halifax
- Alleged items: Propane tank and flammable liquids in a vehicle near the U.S. Consulate
- Charges: Multiple charges, including an offence related to threats against internationally protected people classified as terrorist activity
- Next court date: Sept. 10 (enter plea and decide trial format)
Those facing charges that carry a national‑security element can face complex pre‑trial procedures. The classification of an offence as related to terrorist activity may subject parts of the case to additional layers of review and specialized handling by investigators and prosecutors.
How the legal process will unfold
If and when a bail hearing is sought, the court will weigh several factors: the nature and seriousness of the allegations, any perceived risk to the public, the accused's ties to the community, and the likelihood the person would attend future court dates. Defence and Crown must also exchange disclosure — the evidence Crown intends to rely on — before a trial proceeds.
On Sept. 10, the accused is due to enter a plea and indicate whether he will opt for a provincial or superior court trial, or some other format. That procedural decision will in part determine the timeline for disclosure, possible preliminary hearings, and eventual trial scheduling.
As the matter progresses, local residents and workers in the downtown core can expect public updates from Halifax Regional Police and the Crown, subject to what investigators and prosecutors can disclose without compromising the case.
This is an ongoing story. WE NEWS will continue to report on court developments and any further public‑safety information released by police or the Crown.
