Additional charges laid in Halifax U.S. consulate bomb threat case

Halifax Regional Police have laid two additional criminal charges related to hoax terrorist activity against 54-year-old Ali Assakereh. The charges stem from an August incident involving a bomb threat at the United States consulate in downtown Halifax.

Assakereh was originally arrested on August 10 after allegedly parking a vehicle containing a propane tank and flammable liquids near the consulate. The incident resulted in the closure of several downtown streets while authorities inspected the vehicle and a nearby suspicious bag.

In addition to the new charges, Assakereh faces previous charges of uttering threats, public mischief, and threatening an internationally protected person. The Crown has classified the latter as a terrorism offence, which carries a potential penalty of up to life in prison. He is scheduled to appear in court in November.