Key Takeaways
- A multi-agency Australian counterterrorism unit is probing the co-pilot of a flydubai flight who attacked his captain.
- The co-pilot, an Omani national, is believed to have studied at RMIT University in Melbourne.
- The incident, which occurred on a flight from Dubai to Israel, was averted when passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot.
Australian authorities are investigating the links between the co-pilot of a flydubai flight and Australia, following a violent incident on board the aircraft. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam Al-Hamami, is an Omani national who attempted to hijack the plane, according to the United Arab Emirates' prosecutor general.
The incident, which took place on Wednesday, saw the co-pilot attack the captain with an emergency crash axe, prompting the reserve pilot to take control and land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot was subsequently transferred to the UAE for further investigation.
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising federal police, Victorian state police, and the ASIO intelligence agency, is leading the investigation into the co-pilot's ties to Australia. Sources have revealed that the co-pilot studied at RMIT University in Melbourne, though the university declined to comment.
Israeli officials have not named the co-pilot but have stated that he is from Oman. The UAE authorities and flydubai have not publicly disclosed the co-pilot's identity, and Reuters could not independently reach Al-Hamami for comment.
The incident has raised concerns among Israeli officials, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering a security review of international flights to Israel. Netanyahu instructed the Head of the National Security Council, Shmuel Ben Ezra, to conduct a thorough review of all security aspects of foreign civil aviation to Israel.
According to reports from The Financial Times, the co-pilot had allegedly visited 'mosques and extremist websites' while in Australia. Australian intelligence services reportedly held a file on the individual, though Reuters could not verify this report.
The UAE public prosecutor has stated that the co-pilot attempted to take control of the plane, while passengers and crew subdued him. The flight, which was bound for Israel from Dubai, carried more than 170 passengers and crew, with most of the passengers being Israeli nationals.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism and the importance of robust security measures in the aviation industry. The co-pilot's actions have underscored the need for vigilance and cooperation between countries to ensure the safety of air travel.
