Australian authorities have launched an investigation into the links between the country and a Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to take control of an Israel-bound flight.
The investigation is being conducted by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
The probe follows reports that the co-pilot, identified by several media outlets as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, previously lived in Australia as a student. Reports indicate that he obtained an Australian student visa in 2014 and studied in the country between 2015 and 2017 before leaving. His visa was reportedly cancelled in 2019 after authorities established that he was no longer enrolled in a course.
The investigation will examine the nature of his connections to Australia and whether his time in the country has any relevance to the alleged attack.
The incident occurred on September 30 aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. UAE authorities said the co-pilot attacked the captain with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
Passengers and crew intervened, allowing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot was detained following the incident, while investigations into the attack and his motives continue.
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