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Melbourne imam denies links to flydubai co-pilot accused of hijack plot
A Melbourne imam named by UAE prosecutors in the case of a flydubai co-pilot accused of trying to crash a passenger jet into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport says he “never met” the suspect and rejects violence “in all its forms.”
A Melbourne imam known as Abu Hamza, named by local media as Samir Mohtadi, has denied any connection to the flydubai co-pilot whom authorities in the United Arab Emirates accuse of trying to hijack a passenger plane and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
In a statement posted late on Monday, Abu Hamza said he had “never met” the suspect and that the centre has “no record of him ever attending.” The relevant authorities, he said, “should have verified these claims” with him before releasing them.
“We unequivocally reject violence in all its forms.” — Abu Hamza, imam of MyCentre in Melbourne
He described the allegations as “unfounded” and “misleading” and said he has consistently preached peace. Neither the centre nor the imam is accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
The UAE’s account
Emirati Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the suspect, identified in reports as 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, began to “drift towards extremism and terrorism” while studying in Melbourne. According to the prosecutor, he met people linked to the MyCentre (Multicultural Youth Centre) mosque in the suburb of Broadmeadows in 2017 while a student at RMIT University; the statement said the centre was run by a Lebanese man known as Abu Hamza.
Emirati authorities say the suspect was inspired by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and prepared by seeking out extremist material and training in boxing. He is accused of carrying out an axe attack in the cockpit over Saudi Arabia on a flight carrying more than 170 passengers, in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft and fly it into Ben Gurion Airport in what officials called a “suicide attack.” He remains in custody in the UAE.
Investigations in Australia and New Zealand
The Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police said the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, is investigating “any links” between al-Hammami and Australia, adding that “an update will be provided at an appropriate time.”
RMIT confirmed he studied engineering there but did not complete his degree. New Zealand police said he spent six months in the country on a student visa and completed part of his flight training there.
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