“Man Facing New Charge for Bomb Threat Against U.S. Consulate”

Halifax police have added a new charge against a Halifax man accused of threatening to bomb the U.S. Consulate in the city’s downtown area. Ali Assakereh, aged 54, originally faced charges of uttering threats and public mischief in connection to the recent threat that led to a lockdown in the downtown area. Assakereh was set to appear in Halifax provincial court for a bail hearing, but a new charge has been brought against him by the RCMP for making a threat against an internationally protected person. Police claim that Assakereh placed a propane tank and flammable liquids in his vehicle and parked it near the consulate. The discovery of the vehicle on August 10 prompted the immediate evacuation of several downtown buildings, including the waterfront office complex where the consulate is situated.