Melbourne Imam Denies Links to Flydubai Co-Pilot Attack Suspect as Samir Mohtadi, known as Abu Hamza, rejects knowing the Omani co-pilot accused of trying to seize a passenger jet. UAE prosecutors described contacts linked to his community centre, but have not accused him of wrongdoing.
Melbourne Imam Denies Meeting Suspect
Samir Mohtadi, who leads the Multicultural Youth Centre (MyCentre) in Broadmeadows, said on October 12 that he had never met Hamam Al-Hammami. He said the centre had no record of the man attending and questioned why authorities had not sought its response before publicizing the claims. Mohtadi said his work had consistently promoted peace and community wellbeing and rejected violence in every form.
UAE Prosecutors Detail Flydubai Allegations
In an October 9 statement, UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said investigators believed Al-Hammami began adopting extremist ideas while studying in Australia in 2017. Prosecutors alleged that he accessed extremist material online and became acquainted with people associated with MyCentre. Crucially, their statement did not establish that Mohtadi personally knew him or helped radicalize him.
MyCentre Mosque Rejects Alleged Connection
The allegation has placed the Melbourne community organisation under scrutiny. Mohtadi disputed any association between MyCentre and the accused co-pilot, calling the suggestions misleading. Neither he nor the centre has been accused of a crime in connection with the September 30 incident. Claims about a person's contacts do not, on their own, establish a community organisation's involvement.
Australian Police Investigate Pilot's Links
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, involving the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, is examining the suspect's connections to Australia. RMIT University confirmed that Al-Hammami studied engineering in Melbourne but did not complete his degree. Investigators have not publicly concluded that MyCentre or Mohtadi influenced the suspect.
New Zealand Flight Training Examined
The co-pilot also spent time undertaking aviation training in New Zealand, prompting checks by authorities there. UAE prosecutors allege he attacked the captain of Flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30 while attempting to redirect the aircraft toward Israel. Crew members and passengers subdued him, and other pilots landed safely in Saudi Arabia. He remains in UAE custody as investigators examine whether anyone else was involved.
