54-year-old man charged over US consulate bomb threat
Ali Assakereh was taken into custody after making a bomb threat against the US Consulate in Halifax, Nova Scotia, prompting a five-hour evacuation of several blocks
A 54-year-old man, Ali Assakereh, was taken into custody and charged with uttering threats and public mischief after making a bomb threat against the US Consulate in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The incident occurred on August 10 and prompted the evacuation of several blocks around the consulate.
The bomb threat was communicated at around 6:15pm on August 10, and the suspect's vehicle was later found in a parking garage at Purdy's Wharf with a propane tank and containers believed to contain flammable liquid. The vehicle was discovered at approximately 8:10am on August 10, and the suspect was arrested at around 8:35am near the Canada Games Centre.
Assakereh was charged with uttering threats and public mischief, and the evacuation order was lifted by 2pm on August 10 after authorities determined there was no danger to the public. The incident is not being considered a national security incident.
## What happened next The Halifax Regional Police evacuated several blocks around the consulate for more than five hours on August 10 until authorities determined there was no danger to the public. The police used the bomb squad to inspect the materials found in the suspect's vehicle and later declared the area safe.
## Why it matters The incident has heightened concern around US diplomatic security in Canada after recent shootings at the US consulate in Toronto. The US Consulate in Toronto was struck by gunfire twice in 2026, and the latest incident in Halifax has raised concerns about the safety of US diplomatic posts in Canada.
The US embassy in Ottawa has declined to comment on the security matter while the police investigation is continuing. The incident has also raised questions about the measures in place to protect US diplomatic personnel and facilities in Canada.
