Australian counter-terrorism authorities are investigating the alleged Australian links of the FlyDubai co-pilot accused of attacking his captain during a flight bound for Tel Aviv.
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team has confirmed it is examining the background of the man, identified by multiple international outlets as Omani pilot Hammam al-Hammami, including reports that he previously studied at an Australian university.
The specialist team brings together the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO.
“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 spokeswoman said.
“An update will be provided at an appropriate time.”
Al-Hammami is accused of attacking the captain of FlyDubai Flight 1073 as it travelled from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning.
Passengers reportedly helped overpower the co-pilot before the aircraft was stabilised and safely landed.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Israel are investigating the incident, while FlyDubai flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv have been suspended.
Attention has now turned to al-Hammami’s history and his reported connections to Australia.
The Australian reports the Omani national was granted an Australian student visa in 2014 and began studying at an Australian university the following year.
He reportedly left Australia in 2017, with sources telling the publication his visa was cancelled in 2019 after authorities determined he was no longer enrolled in a university course.
US outlets CNN and ABC America have also reported that a LinkedIn profile listing his time at the Australian university was taken down.
Al-Hammami reportedly later studied at New Buckinghamshire University in Britain, graduating with a degree in aviation management in 2023.
Questions have also emerged about his aviation history.
He was reportedly banned from flying in Oman amid concerns over radical ideological views and was allegedly removed from flight training at Oman Air.
Further scrutiny has fallen on social media activity reportedly linked to al-Hammami following the alleged attack.
A series of posts published to his LinkedIn page about nine hours after the incident appeared to contain extremist material.
One reportedly featured a video highlighting the aircraft used on the Dubai to Tel Aviv route before showing images of prominent Islamist terrorists, including former al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who succeeded Osama bin Laden.
Another post reportedly featured an AI-generated image depicting Islam’s three holiest sites — Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem — alongside a poem referencing not fearing death.
The alleged attack aboard Flight 1073 has prompted investigations across several countries as authorities work to establish the co-pilot’s background and potential motivations.
For Australian authorities, the focus now includes determining the extent and significance of his reported time in the country.
The Victorian counter-terrorism investigation remains active.
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