Australia Investigates Terror Pilot's Links Amidst Dubai Flight Attack

Australian authorities are investigating the connections of Hamam Al-Hamami, the co-pilot who attacked the captain on a Flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv from Dubai. Al-Hamami, an Omani citizen, used an emergency axe in the cockpit during the assault. The UAE's attorney general has classified the incident as a "terrorist act."

According to reports, Al-Hamami previously studied at a university in Melbourne, Victoria. Local media identified the institution as RMIT University, though the university declined to comment. The Australian Federal Police confirmed that a joint counter-terrorism task force, including federal and state police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), is examining Al-Hamami's ties to Australia.

The Financial Times reported that Al-Hamami allegedly visited extremist mosques and browsed extremist websites during his time in Australia. The report also indicated that Australian intelligence services had a file on him. This investigation into his Australian connections is part of broader inquiries in the UAE and other countries to understand his background and motives, and to determine if he acted alone or with accomplices.