A duty lawyer appeared in Halifax bail court Wednesday on behalf of Ali Assakereh, who’s accused of making a bomb threat against the local U.S. consulate Sunday. The lawyer got Assakereh’s bail hearing adjourned until Friday. Photo by Steve BruceArticle contentA man accused of making a bomb threat that shut down several streets in downtown Halifax on Monday was not ready to seek bail when his case returned to court Wednesday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentAli Assakereh, 54, of Halifax is charged with uttering threats against the U.S. consulate in Halifax and committing public mischief by misleading police.Article contentArticle contentAssakereh first appeared in Halifax bail court Tuesday via a video link from the Dartmouth jail. His bail hearing was adjourned until Wednesday at the request of Crown attorney Brennan MacDonald, who said he was awaiting further information from investigators before taking a position on release.Article contentArticle contentOn Wednesday, duty defence lawyer Lonny Queripel appeared in court on behalf of Assakereh, who remained in a holding cell in the basement of the Spring Garden Road courthouse.Article contentQueripel asked that the bail hearing be postponed until Friday.Article contentJudge Del Atwood had no issue with adjourning the hearing without Assakereh being present in the courtroom. Atwood rescheduled the hearing for Friday morning and said the court would order a Farsi interpreter.Article contentQueripel said the interpreter was “invaluable” during his discussions with Assakereh on Wednesday.Article contentOn Monday, Halifax Regional Police said the U.S. Consulate in Purdy’s Wharf on the Halifax waterfront received a bomb threat Sunday. Police were able to identify a suspect and began searching for him.Article contentOfficers located the man’s vehicle in the Purdy’s Wharf parkade on Monday at about 8:10 a.m. A propane tank and several containers believed to contain flammable liquid could be seen inside the vehicle, prompting police to call in their explosive disposal unit and evacuate a large area of the downtown. A suspicious bag was also found nearby.Article contentAt 2 p.m., police confirmed the vehicle and its contents did not pose a risk to public safety, and all streets in the downtown core were reopened.Article contentPolice arrested Assakereh on Thomas Raddall Drive in Clayton Park at about 8:35 a.m. Monday. Given the concern that he might possess explosives, some roads in the area of the Canada Games Centre were closed while his belongings were searched.Article contentA spokesperson for the consulate said Tuesday it does not comment on matters of security.Article content
Halifax man’s bail hearing on bomb threat charges adjourned until Friday
