A multi-agency Australian counterterrorism unit is investigating the links to Australia of the co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, who attempted to hijack the plane and stabbed his captain. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising federal police, Victorian state police, and the ASIO intelligence agency, is leading the investigation. The co-pilot, identified as an Omani national named Hamam Al-Hammami, is currently in UAE custody.
According to sources, Al-Hammami studied at a university in Melbourne, the capital of the Australian state of Victoria. RMIT University in Melbourne confirmed that the co-pilot had been enrolled at the university but did not successfully complete an engineering qualification. The exact duration of his studies is unclear. The Australian Federal Police spokesperson stated that the investigation is focused on Al-Hammami's links to Australia.
The incident occurred on flydubai flight FZ1073, which was bound for Israel from Dubai on Wednesday. The co-pilot attacked the pilot with an emergency crash axe, prompting an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The flight had plunged 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds before being levelled out and landing safely. Passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot, who had attempted to take control of the plane carrying more than 170 passengers and crew.
Israeli officials have confirmed that the co-pilot is from Oman and have not disclosed his identity. The UAE public prosecutor has stated that Al-Hammami had attempted to take control of the plane, characterising the incident as a "terrorist attack". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a "serious security incident" and confirmed that all passengers were out of danger following an emergency landing.
Netanyahu also stated that the co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and was clearly suicidal. He instructed the National Security Council to appoint an examiner to conduct a thorough review of all security aspects regarding foreign civil aviation to Israel. The incident has raised concerns about the vetting process for pilots from countries with which Israel does not have official diplomatic relations, such as Oman.
According to reports, Al-Hammami had allegedly visited radical mosques and extremist websites while in Australia. The Financial Times cited two people familiar with the investigation, stating that Australian intelligence services held a file on the individual. However, Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and the government of Australia did not respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours.
The incident has highlighted the complexities of international aviation security and the challenges of screening pilots from countries with diverse regulatory frameworks. The investigation is ongoing, with multiple agencies working together to determine the circumstances surrounding the attempted hijacking. The co-pilot's motivations and the extent of his radicalisation remain unclear.
Key points
- Australian authorities are investigating the co-pilot's links to the country.
- The co-pilot, Hamam Al-Hammami, is an Omani national who studied in Melbourne.
- The incident has raised concerns about aviation security and the vetting of pilots from countries with which Israel does not have diplomatic relations.
