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Australia Probes Flydubai Co-Pilot’s Links After Attack
Australian authorities are looking into a Flydubai co-pilot’s past links to Australia.
Reports say he studied there after receiving a student visa in 2014, and that the visa was canceled in 2019.
The inquiry will consider whether he became radicalized while in Australia.
On September 30, he attacked the captain during a flight and tried to take control of the plane.
The plane dropped sharply, but the captain, passengers, crew, and two off-duty pilots helped bring the situation under control.
The aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
Reports also say Oman Air had previously kept him from flying after concerns about websites he visited.
Investigators are examining his background in several countries and whether anyone else was involved.
Australian authorities are investigating Hamam al-Hammami’s links to the country and whether he was radicalized there.
Reports say al-Hammami held an Australian student visa from 2014, studied there from 2015 to 2017, and had the visa canceled in 2019.
On September 30, al-Hammami attacked the captain of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 with a cockpit crash axe and tried to seize control.
Passengers and crew subdued him, and two off-duty pilots helped bring the plane to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Reports say Oman Air had earlier removed him from flight duties after concerns about extremist websites; investigators are also examining his background and possible external ties.
- Who
- Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani Flydubai co-pilot; Australian authorities are investigating his links to Australia.
- What
- An inquiry is examining his Australian connections and possible radicalization following an attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073.
- Where
- The incident occurred aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia; the inquiry is in Australia.
- When
- The flight attack occurred on September 30; reports say he studied in Australia from 2015 to 2017.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating how al-Hammami became radicalized and how he was able to work as a commercial co-pilot.
Potential explanations under investigation
Other possibilities under investigation
Where radicalization may have occurred
Potential explanations under investigation
Authorities are examining whether al-Hammami was radicalized during his time in Australia.
Other possibilities under investigation
Investigators are also examining whether radicalization began during his youth in Syria or at another point; the articles do not establish where it occurred.
Whether he acted alone
Potential explanations under investigation
Authorities are investigating whether al-Hammami operated independently.
Other possibilities under investigation
Authorities are also investigating possible external ties, with particular attention reportedly directed toward Iran; no involvement is established in the articles.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Incident date
- September 30
- Australian study
- Reportedly studied in Australia from 2015 to 2017
- Student visa
- Reportedly issued in 2014 and canceled in 2019 because he was not enrolled in a course
- Emergency landing
- Saudi Arabia
- Australian investigative team
- Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
- Prior airline employment
- Oman Air reportedly removed al-Hammami from flight duties after discovering visits to extremist websites
Quotes
Australian Federal Police spokesperson
Spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police
“The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (VIC JCTT), comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO, can confirm it is investigating the man’s links to Australia.”
deccanchronicle.com
m.rediff.com
Sources
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