Australia launches probe into Flydubai co-pilot’s links after student visa revelation

A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft is pictured on tarmac after landing at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in Lod last week. PIC/AFP

Following reports that Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot behind the September 30 terrorist attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, had been granted Australian student visa in 2014, authorities in Canberra have initiated an inquiry, according to The Times of Israel.

"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 Australian Federal Police spokesperson stated, according to The Times of Israel, which cited a report from The Guardian.

"An update will be provided at an appropriate time," the spokesperson added. The Times of Israel report cited sources telling tell ABC news that co-pilot was issued a student visa in 2014 and studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017, when he left the country. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team probe will examine whether the co-pilot was radicalised in Australia, the outlet said.

Who are mystery men who kept FlyDubai plane from crashing?

Who are the mystery pilots who stepped in to stabilise the FlyDubai flight as it hurtled toward disaster? As of Sunday, four days after the uniformed crew members rushed to the cockpit to steady the Israel-bound plane carrying 182 people after a sickening plummet, they still haven't been publicly identified. FlyDubai has called them only on-duty crew members travelling on the plane. It's not clear why the airline hasn't said more.

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