A Melbourne man has pushed back against what he calls “false accusations” after UAE prosecutors linked his Islamic community centre to the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a flydubai jet. The co-pilot, an Omani national, is in custody in the UAE.
According to the Emirati prosecutor’s findings, published by state media last week, the co-pilot was inspired by the Al-Qaeda attacks of September 11, 2001, and carried out his attempt “with the aim of causing the greatest possible loss of life”. The prosecutor said he was radicalised while studying in Australia, where he had consumed extremist material and online content glorifying terrorist groups and suicide attacks.
UAE prosecutor links Melbourne centre to suspect
The prosecutor alleged that the co-pilot, identified in multiple media reports as Hamam al-Hammami, was involved with an organisation known as “MyCentre”, managed by a Lebanese man called Abu Hamza. Neither MyCentre nor Abu Hamza has been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
Abu Hamza, who local media have also named as Samir Mohtadi, responded in a four-minute video posted on social media on Sunday. He did not directly address the prosecutor’s claims, but spoke about the persecution of righteous people throughout history and shared the video on the centre’s Facebook page.
Centre leader says he rejects violence
In a separate statement, Mohtadi said he “strongly rejects” any attempt to link him or the centre to the alleged attacker. He said the relevant authorities should have checked the claims with him before releasing or publishing them.
“Throughout my life, I have consistently preached peace,” he said. He added that his work and that of the centre had focused on promoting peace, harmony and community wellbeing, and that they rejected violence in all its forms.
Mohtadi also said the claims were unfounded and risked unfairly damaging the reputation of an organisation that, he said, had served the wider Australian community for decades.
Details of the alleged attack on the flight
According to the findings, the suspect used an emergency axe during a September 30 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv to attack the plane’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar. The captain fought back and tried to call for help.
Another pilot assigned to the return flight, who was also on board, noticed the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly in an unusual manner. After gaining entry, that pilot intervened with help from a cabin crew member and several passengers. Together, they rescued the injured captain and restrained the suspect.
Australian and New Zealand police continue inquiries
Police and intelligence services in Australia and New Zealand are still investigating the alleged attacker’s links to both countries. He allegedly spent time in both as a student and completed some of his flight training there, according to a New Zealand national broadcaster.
