Australian authorities have initiated a significant Victorian links investigation concerning the co-pilot allegedly involved in a mid-air hijacking attempt aboard a flydubai flight. Federal police and ASIO are actively examining any ties the Omani national, Hammam al-Hammami, may have to the state.
Reports indicate al-Hammami allegedly brandished a crash axe at the lead pilot. This horrifying incident unfolded on flydubai’s Flight FZ1073, which was en route to Israel. The attempted attack reportedly imperiled all 174 passengers and crew on board.
Passengers heroically intervened, subduing al-Hammami. Meanwhile, two off-duty pilots skillfully stabilized the Boeing 737. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing at a regional airport in Saudi Arabia, averting a potential catastrophe.
This Victorian links investigation commenced after publicised reports identified the co-pilot’s past academic ties to Melbourne. According to a now-deleted LinkedIn profile, al-Hammami claimed to have studied engineering at a university in Victoria. He reportedly obtained a visa to study in Australia in 2014, residing in Melbourne from 2015 to 2017 before leaving. His visa expired in 2019, but officials noted no issues with its initial granting.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed the involvement of the Victorian joint counter-terrorism team. This unit comprises members from ASIO and Victoria Police. An AFP spokeswoman stated further updates would be provided as appropriate.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll expressed concern when questioned about al-Hammami’s potential connections. He pledged to follow up on the matter urgently. The Premier affirmed ongoing collaboration with law enforcement agencies to ensure state safety.
Meanwhile, the lead prosecutor in the United Arab Emirates inquiry, Hamad Saif al-Shamsi, confirmed the co-pilot’s actions. He stated al-Hammami allegedly attacked the lead pilot inside the cockpit with a crash axe, typically used for emergencies. The UAE’s state news agency carried a statement from the prosecutor general. It confirmed investigations into flydubai flight FZ1073 found the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist attack.
