Halifax police have brought charges against a man for allegedly making a bomb threat directed at the local U.S. Consulate, leading to the evacuation of several buildings and streets downtown that lasted for five hours. The accused, 54-year-old Ali Assakereh from Halifax, made an appearance in Halifax provincial court on Tuesday to face charges of uttering threats and public mischief. His bail hearing was postponed to the following day at the request of the Crown, and he was remanded into custody.
Authorities were alerted to the bomb threat on Sunday evening, and the suspect’s vehicle was discovered parked near the consulate the next day. Assakereh was apprehended shortly afterward in the west end of the city. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa declined to comment on the security issue, citing the ongoing police inquiry.
Upon inspection, it was found that the vehicle contained a propane tank and containers possibly filled with flammable liquids. However, an explosives specialist later confirmed that they did not pose a danger to public safety, leading to the lifting of evacuation orders on Monday at 2 p.m.
During his court appearance via video link on Tuesday, Assakereh, assisted by an Arabic interpreter, expressed his desire to present evidence of racism he has encountered. He also mentioned renouncing the Islamic faith, stating that he could face death if in an Islamic state. The interpreter conveyed Assakereh’s claims of threats against him and his family from various sources, including the authorities and welfare services.
The incident in Halifax occurred shortly after two individuals were charged with shooting at the U.S. consulate in Toronto in July, marking the second such event at the consulate in 2026. The suspects, a 19-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, are facing multiple charges in what authorities have described as a hired-criminals scheme.
Previously, the consulate in Toronto was targeted on March 10, with two suspects allegedly firing shots at the building. An 18-year-old and a 19-year-old are currently facing multiple charges in connection with that incident. The RCMP Chief Superintendent emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance around consulates in Canada, describing the shootings as national security concerns.
In a separate case, an Iraqi national accused in the U.S. of conspiring to carry out terror attacks in response to conflicts involving the U.S. and Israel was also alleged to be involved in attacks in Canada, including the March shooting at the U.S. consulate in Toronto. The individual faced charges of supporting terrorist organizations and plotting acts of terrorism in a Federal Court in New York.
None of the accusations against him have been proven in court.