Australia Investigates Potential Radicalization of Flydubai Co-Pilot

Australian authorities have launched an investigation into the possibility that the co-pilot of a Flydubai flight, who allegedly attempted an attack, may have become radicalized during his studies in Australia a decade ago. The co-pilot, identified as Al-Hamami, reportedly lived in Australia on a student visa between 2015 and 2017. Australian Federal Police confirmed to the BBC that an investigation is underway concerning Al-Hamami, in cooperation with the Australian National Security Agency. Sources close to the investigation indicate that Al-Hamami arrived in Australia in 2014 on a student visa. His visa was canceled in 2019 because he was no longer enrolled in studies, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Investigators are now examining whether Al-Hamami began his radicalization process during his time in Australia, potentially through contact with other Muslim organizations and immigrants. Separately, it was revealed that Al-Hamami participated in a remote learning course from Buckinghamshire New University in the UK starting in 2020, completing a degree in Aviation Management in 2023. The university stated he did not undergo flight training there.