Australian Authorities Now Probe Flydubai Co-Pilot’s Links

SYDNEY, Oct 4 — Australian authorities are investigating the links between the country and a Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking his captain mid-flight to Israel.

The co-pilot, identified by international media as Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly struck Capt Smit Machchhar with a crash axe during the September 30 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, forcing the plane to plunge 17,000ft before passengers intervened. Two reserve pilots later landed the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed it is examining “the man’s links to Australia” in coordination with state police and national security agencies. Sources told local media the Omani national studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017 on a student visa issued in 2014, which was cancelled in 2019 after he ceased enrollment. Counter-terrorism officials are probing whether he was radicalised during his time in the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the suspect is an Omani citizen. The UAE prosecutor general confirmed an investigation into the incident and possible motives.

The flight carried more than 170 passengers, many of whom helped restrain the co-pilot after the attack. Authorities in multiple countries continue to coordinate inquiries into the shocking mid-air incident.

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Flydubai co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, Australian investigation, mid-air attack, Tel Aviv flight, UAE prosecutor