Australia investigates ties of FlyDubai co-pilot accused of attacking Israel-bound flight
Counterterrorism investigators are examining the suspect’s time as a student in Australia, including whether he became radicalized during his stay
Australian authorities confirmed Sunday that they are investigating the Australian connections of the Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to bring down a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv last week.
A joint counterterrorism team comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is examining the suspect’s time in the country. He studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017.
Investigators are looking into whether he became radicalized during that period. The Australian Federal Police confirmed that an investigation had been opened.
According to The Guardian, a source familiar with the case said the co-pilot was granted an Australian student visa in 2014 and arrived the following year to begin a university course. He left Australia in 2017, and authorities cancelled his visa in 2019 after confirming he was no longer enrolled.
The inquiry follows reports about the co-pilot’s background and concerns allegedly raised during his aviation career. According to CNN and The Wall Street Journal, he was born in the United Arab Emirates to a Syrian mother, and questions about his religious and ideological views had surfaced before the flydubai incident.
Sources cited in those reports said Oman had previously barred him from flying in its territory. He was also reportedly dismissed from a professional training course over similar concerns.
The co-pilot was reportedly dismissed from both Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc.