Man accused of threat against U.S. Consulate in Halifax facing terrorism charge, Crown says

The Halifax man accused of threatening to bomb the U.S. Consulate in the city’s downtown is facing a new charge for what a Crown prosecutor is describing as an act of terrorism.

Ali Assakereh, 54, appeared in Halifax provincial court on Wednesday for a bail hearing on charges laid last week after an incident that put much of the downtown under a lockdown.

Before that hearing could get underway, however, a new charge was laid against Assakereh for threatening an internationally protected person. Under the Criminal Code, the U.S. Consulate property meets the definition of a protected person.

“This is a terrorism offence under the Criminal Code and it’s defined as a terrorist activity,” federal Crown prosecutor Lee-Ann Conrod told reporters outside the courtroom.

The maximum sentence for someone convicted of the charge is 14 years, Conrod said.

Assakereh was initially charged by Halifax Regional Police with uttering threats and public mischief.

His case has been adjourned until next week and he will remain in custody at least until then.

Read more: CBC News