World · Middle East · 12 hrs ago
UAE says Flydubai co-pilot’s extremist views began in Australia
UAE prosecutors say a 29-year-old Omani co-pilot began moving towards extremism while studying in Melbourne, Australia, in 2017.
They say he read extremist material, followed online content praising terrorist groups and suicide attacks, and was inspired by the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States.
He is accused of trying to take control of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September and use it in a suicide attack.
The plane carried more than 170 people, and passengers and crew intervened to stop him.
The aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
Prosecutors say the suspect told them he acted alone, but investigations are still checking whether anyone else was involved.
Australian authorities are also investigating his links to Australia.
UAE prosecutors say a 29-year-old Omani flydubai co-pilot began moving towards extremism while studying in Australia in 2017.
The co-pilot is accused of attacking the captain with a cockpit crash axe during flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September 2026.
UAE investigators say the alleged plan was to seize the aircraft and use it in a suicide attack targeting Ben Gurion Airport.
The accounts say passengers and crew intervened, the plane was diverted, and it landed safely in Saudi Arabia; the UAE report identifies the airport as Tabuk.
Investigators say the suspect confessed to acting alone, but say they are still checking whether anyone else was involved.
- Who
- A 29-year-old Omani flydubai co-pilot, identified in the articles as al-Hammami.
- What
- He is accused of trying to seize a flydubai aircraft and carry out a suicide attack.
- When
- 30 September 2026; UAE prosecutors say his alleged radicalisation began in 2017.
- Where
- On flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the plane landed in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- UAE prosecutors say he was inspired by al-Qaeda's 11 September 2001 attacks and intended to target Ben Gurion Airport.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The findings indicated that signs of his drift towards extremism and terrorism first emerged in 2017, while he was studying in Australia
During that period, he was influenced by takfiri [radical] ideology through reading extremist literature and following online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks.
He admitted that he had acted alone, without the involvement of others, although investigations are continuing to verify this claim.
did not successfully complete an engineering qualification
UAE prosecutors say signs of the co-pilot's move towards extremism emerged while he was studying in Australia.
The alleged attack took place aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Australian authorities launched an investigation into the man's time in Australia and possible links to extremism.
UAE prosecutors' account of the investigation was reported by news outlets.
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Incident date
- 30 September 2026
- Suspect
- A 29-year-old Omani co-pilot, identified as al-Hammami
- Alleged attack weapon
- A cockpit emergency axe
- Alleged target
- Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv
- Reported landing location
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, according to the UAE report
Sources
Pilot accused of hijacking attempt allegedly radicalised in Melbourne
Flydubai attacker began a 'drift towards extremism and terrorism' in Australia, UAE says
Flydubai co-pilot began radicalisation in Australia, UAE prosecutors say
Investigators say flydubai pilot's 'drift towards terrorism' started in Australia
النائب العام الإماراتي: توجهات المتهم بحادثة فلاي دبي بدأت في أستراليا عام 2017
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