Australian security agencies have launched an investigation into the Australian ties of a flydubai co-pilot suspected of attempting to hijack a plane bound for Tel Aviv. As The Guardian reports, the man spent about two years in Australia as a student.
A source familiar with the case told the publication that the man was granted an Australian student visa in 2014 and arrived in the country the following year to begin university studies. He left Australia in 2017, and his visa was cancelled in 2019 after authorities determined that he was no longer enrolled in the course.
The Australian Federal Police confirmed that the man’s ties to the country are being examined by the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team. It includes the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
According to the publication, the incident occurred on Wednesday on a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv carrying 182 people. Passengers and crew members intervened to prevent the co-pilot from taking control of the aircraft. During the incident, the airliner descended 5,067 metres in just over 30 seconds.
According to the UAE attorney general, the co-pilot used an emergency axe and stabbed the captain during the incident, which the official described as an attempted terrorist attack. A number of media outlets identified the co-pilot as Omani national Hammam al-Hammami.
flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv indefinitely. The co-pilot and the flight’s captain, Indian national Smith Machchhar, were taken to the UAE, which is leading an investigation involving several countries, including Israel.
Source: UA
