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Australia probing flydubai copilot, who studied at a Melbourne university
Confirmed
In Short: According to sources briefed on the inquiry, the co-pilot, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, may have visited mosques described as radical and accessed extremist websites while in Australia.
Victoria’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, and ASIO, is investigating the Australian connections of the Omani co-pilot who attacked the captain on flydubai flight FZ1073, which was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a violent cockpit attack. The investigation is focused on the co-pilot’s time in Australia, including his studies at RMIT University in Melbourne around ten years ago.
According to sources briefed on the inquiry, the co-pilot, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, may have visited mosques described as radical and accessed extremist websites while in Australia. The Financial Times reported that these activities are part of the investigation, though RMIT University declined to comment.
The Times of Israel (Israel) and Internazionale (Italy) reported that al-Hammami, 29, attacked the pilot with an emergency crash axe and attempted to crash the plane. The UAE prosecutor general described the incident as a 'terrorist attack', while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the pilot 'underwent Islamist radical indoctrination'.
Indiatoday (India) reported that the investigation now involves authorities in Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, with Oman also potentially relevant due to the co-pilot's nationality. The Times of Israel (Israel) noted that a reserve flydubai pilot took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Tabuk airport in north-western Saudi Arabia.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) cited sources as saying that al-Hammami had been barred from flying in his own country because of concerns that he had adopted 'extremist' views. The Australian government has not yet responded to requests for comment outside business hours.
The investigation is examining al-Hammami's period of study in Melbourne, his contacts in the country, and whether Australian security agencies had previously identified any concerns. Sources familiar with the inquiry have identified him as an Omani national, although UAE authorities and flydubai have not officially disclosed his identity.
Allora! Italian Australian News and The Times of Israel (Israel) both reported that al-Hammami studied at RMIT University around ten years ago, though the institution declined to comment. The Times of Israel (Israel) also noted that the Australian government is investigating the 'links to Australia' of the Omani flydubai copilot.
The investigation is expected to determine whether al-Hammami's stay in Australia was connected to the attack. While the sources agree on the co-pilot's time in Australia, the specifics of his activities and connections remain under scrutiny.
The case highlights the international cooperation required to address security threats, with multiple countries involved in the probe. The investigation aims to uncover any potential links between the co-pilot's past in Australia and the recent cockpit attack.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the cockpit attack and the co-pilot's background in Australia.
The investigation is focused on determining whether al-Hammami's time in Australia was connected to the cockpit attack, and whether he had any extremist connections during his stay.
The investigation is examining al-Hammami's period of study in Melbourne, his contacts in the country, and whether Australian security agencies had previously identified any concerns.
What this adds
The investigation is still in its early stages, and authorities have not yet disclosed specific details about the co-pilot's activities or connections in Australia.
What's confirmed
- The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, is investigating the co-pilot’s links to Australia.
- The Financial Times reported that the man may have visited mosques described as radical and accessed extremist websites while in Australia.
- Australian police said on Sunday that authorities there were investigating the “links to Australia” of the Omani flydubai copilot who attacked the captain on a flight full of Israelis to Tel Aviv.
- Two sources briefed on the investigation said the copilot studied at a university in Melbourne, the capital of the Australian state of Victoria.
- The UAE prosecutor general described the incident as a "terrorist attack".
- The Financial Times reported, citing anonymous sources, that al-Hammami may have attended mosques considered radical in Australia and accessed websites associated with extremism.
- A third source said he studied at RMIT University around a decade ago.
- While al-Hammami reportedly spent part of his life in the United Arab Emirates, the Reuters news agency, citing sources briefed on the Australian investigation, reported that he studied at a university in the Australian city of Melbourne.
What's still developing
- Flydubai announced an investigation to clarify the circumstances.
- UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said on Saturday that the latest “terrorist” attack is a new warning that the region’s fight against “extremism” is not over.
- Australian police and intelligence join the list of those probing the incident.
- An aviation instructor who later recreated the descent in a simulator described the experience as being similar to a “vertical roller coaster”.