Conflict & Security
Melbourne Islamic leader rejects 'false accusations' over link to accused flydubai co-pilot
October 12, 2026 at 01:04 PM
Coverage
3 reports · 1 in Arabic, 2 in English · over 6 hours
AJAl Jazeera Arabic
"اتهامات باطلة".. داعية في أستراليا يتحدث بعد ربط اسمه بمساعد طائرة فلاي دبي
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AJAl Jazeera English
Melbourne man linked to flydubai attack suspect rejects ‘false accusations’
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TGThe Guardian
Melbourne Islamic leader silent on centre’s alleged Flydubai hijacker links in Facebook video
(opens the publisher’s site)A Melbourne Islamic leader has rejected ties between his community centre and a flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking his captain on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi said the Omani co-pilot first drifted toward extremism while studying at RMIT University in Melbourne in 2017.
- Mohtadi, who also uses the name Abu Hamza, posted a video rejecting 'false accusations' without addressing the UAE prosecutor's claims.
- During the September 30 Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, the co-pilot attacked captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency axe before crew and passengers restrained him.
- Australian and New Zealand authorities are investigating the suspect's links, and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he was radicalised online.