A man facing charges for allegedly making a bomb threat against the U.S. Consulate in Halifax had his bail hearing postponed for the third time on Friday. Ali Assakereh, a Halifax resident, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with uttering threats and public mischief after authorities found a propane tank and flammable liquids in his car near the consulate.
His legal representative, Lonny Queripel, cited ongoing police investigations as a reason for the delay in seeking bail for Assakereh. Queripel expressed concerns about the lack of clarity from the prosecution regarding potential additional charges, emphasizing the need to understand the full scope of the case before presenting a bail plan to the court.
The 54-year-old suspect, who has been in custody since his arrest, consented to remain in custody during the hearing. Queripel requested an adjournment until August 19, which was granted by provincial court Judge Del Atwood.
The lawyer mentioned that Assakereh, while frustrated by the slow pace of the legal process, has been cooperating with their discussions facilitated by a Farsi interpreter. Despite the circumstances, Assakereh’s family has maintained a quiet presence in their neighborhood.
Neighbors recalled a recent incident where police searched Assakereh’s home for several hours, leading to an act of kindness by one neighbor who invited Assakereh’s son into their home during the hot weather while the family’s phones were with the police.
Assakereh’s previous encounter with the law involved two assault charges in 2024, which were later dismissed in 2025. The bomb threat incident prompted an evacuation of downtown buildings, including the consulate’s location, with Assakereh’s arrest following shortly after the discovery of his vehicle. The evacuation was lifted after determining that the tank and liquids posed no danger.
The legal proceedings around the case remain ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for mid-August.