Australian counter-terrorism authorities are investigating the background and connections of the Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, made up of the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, confirmed that it is examining the man's links to Australia.
The incident happened on Wednesday aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073. UAE authorities say the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The plane subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The co-pilot has been identified by multiple reports as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, although UAE authorities have not publicly confirmed his identity. Reuters said two sources familiar with the investigation identified him.
Australian media reports say he obtained a student visa in 2014 and studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017. His visa was later cancelled in 2019 after he was no longer enrolled in a course; ABC reported that the cancellation was not made on character grounds.
Australian investigators are examining his connections to the country as part of the wider counter-terrorism inquiry. Authorities have not publicly concluded that he was radicalised in Australia, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The United Arab Emirates is leading the broader investigation into the incident. The UAE prosecutor general has described the episode as an attempted terrorist attack and said investigators are examining the circumstances, motive and any possible links.
Reports have also raised questions about the suspect's previous aviation history. ABC reported that he had been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about possible extremist views before later working for Flydubai. Those details remain part of the wider investigation.
The incident has triggered renewed questions about international aviation security and how flight crews are vetted when they have lived, studied or worked in several different countries.
Investigators in Australia, the UAE and other countries are expected to continue examining the suspect's background and the events that led to the cockpit attack.