+34
Australian security agencies are probing the background of the Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, who previously spent two years as a student in Australia. The investigation focuses on his links to the country, following the mid-air attack that involved a crash axe and stabbing of the pilot.
Australia n security agencies have launched an investigation after it emerged that the Flydubai co-pilot who allegedly tried to hijack an Israel -bound flight spent about two years in the country as a student.
Disaster was narrowly averted on Wednesday when passengers and crew intervened to stop the co-pilot's attempt to take control of the Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, which had 182 people onboard and plunged 5,067m in just over 30 seconds. The United Arab Emirates' prosecutor general has said the co-pilot had used a crash axe in the attempted "terrorist attack", in which the pilot was stabbed mid-air. Numerous media outlets have named the co-pilot as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.
Australian Student Visa History Investigated
A source familiar with the case, but not authorised to speak publicly, said the man was granted an Australian student visa in 2014, before arriving in the country to commence a university course the following year. He left Australia in 2017, and his visa was cancelled in 2019 after authorities confirmed he was no longer enrolled in the course, the source said.
The Australian federal police (AFP) on Sunday said multiple agencies - including the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) - were probing the man's connections to the country.
"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," an AFP spokesperson said. "An update will be provided at an appropriate time. " US media outlets, including CNN, reported that a now-deleted LinkedIn profile said al-Hammami had studied engineering at an Australian university.
Victorian Agencies Probe His Connections
It came after a British university, Buckinghamshire New University, said a student named Hamam al-Hammami had "previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management" at the institution. It added: "He did not undertake any pilot training at the university.
" A Flydubai spokesperson on Saturday said the circumstances surrounding the incident were still under investigation and the airline was not in a position to comment further. The airline's flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv have been suspended until further notice after the attack. The Omani co-pilot and the flight's Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, were taken to the UAE, as it leads the investigation. Officials have said a number of countries including Israel are participating.
Oman Air Role and Flying Ban
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the co-pilot had been barred from flying by Oman over concerns he had adopted extremist views. He was then moved to an administrative job at Oman Air, according to the official, before being hired by the UAE-based budget airline Flydubai.
Flydubai Co-Pilot Hijacking Australia Investigation Terrorism Student Visa
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chris Hedges Gaza Lecture Criticizes Israel at Leinster HouseUS journalist Chris Hedges speaks at Leinster House, criticizing Israel's Gaza assault and accusing the West of forfeiting democratic credibility.
Read more »
Chief Rabbi: All the good that might have come from Ireland v Israel has been lostThe Israeli squad includes a number of Palestinian citizens of Israel. This fact has barely been mentioned in the extensive Irish media coverage
Read more »
UAE Prosecutors Say Flydubai Co-Pilot Attempted Terrorist Attack Aboard Israel-Bound FlightUAE prosecutors alleged that Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attempted to carry out a terrorist attack during flight FZ1073, attacking the captain with an axe and trying to seize control of the aircraft. The captain unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene before the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Authorities are investigating the suspect's motives, connections and employment vetting, while Oman had reportedly barred him from flying over concerns about extremist views.
Read more »
Hallgrímsson Addresses Media Before Ireland's Home Game Against IsraelIreland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson spoke in Bačka Topola ahead of his side's designated home match against Israel, which was relocated to Serbia for security reasons. He discussed maintaining player focus amid calls for a boycott, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu's withdrawal, James Abankwah's suspension, Dara O'Shea's absence, and preparations for Ireland's third consecutive away match in the international window.
Read more »