Archive · 10 Oct 2026
UAE Prosecutors Say Flydubai Co-Pilot Radicalised While Studying
UAE prosecutors say a flydubai co-pilot began developing extremist ideas while he was studying in Australia.
He studied at RMIT University in Melbourne.
The attorney general said signs of those ideas first appeared in 2017.
Prosecutors said he read extremist material and watched online content praising terrorist groups and suicide attacks.
They also said he told them the September 11 attacks inspired him.
According to their statement, he thought about carrying out a similar attack using an aircraft.
He arrived in Australia in 2015 and left in 2017.
His student visa was cancelled in 2019 after authorities learned he was no longer enrolled.
UAE prosecutors say the flydubai co-pilot developed extremist views while studying in Australia.
Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi said signs of extremism emerged in 2017 at RMIT University in Melbourne.
Prosecutors said al-Hammami was influenced by extremist literature and online content glorifying terrorist groups and suicide attacks.
According to the prosecutors’ statement, al-Hammami told them the 9/11 attacks inspired him to consider a similar operation using an aircraft.
He arrived in Australia in 2015, left in 2017, and his student visa was cancelled in 2019 after authorities confirmed he was no longer enrolled.
- Who
- The flydubai co-pilot, identified as al-Hammami, and UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi.
- What
- UAE prosecutors say al-Hammami developed extremist views while studying in Australia and was inspired by the 9/11 attacks.
- When
- Prosecutors said signs of extremism emerged in 2017; he was in Australia from 2015 to 2017, and his visa was cancelled in 2019. The attorney general's statement was reported as made Friday, October 9.
- Where
- RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.
- Why
- Prosecutors said extremist literature and online content influenced him, and that he drew inspiration from the 9/11 attacks.
- Prosecuting authority
- United Arab Emirates
- Attorney general
- Hamad Saif al-Shamsi
- University
- RMIT University
- Study location
- Melbourne, Australia
- Australia arrival
- 2015
- Left Australia
- 2017
- Visa cancelled
- 2019, after authorities confirmed he was no longer enrolled