A leader of a Melbourne Islamic centre has released a video statement that avoids directly addressing allegations connecting the facility to an accused hijacker in a recent aviation incident. Dr Hamad Saif al-Shamsi, the attorney general of the UAE, alleged that the 29-year-old suspect, identified as co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, became acquainted with people at a centre known as “MyCentre” while studying at RMIT University in Melbourne during 2017. According to the prosecutor’s statement, al-Hammami regularly attended a mosque affiliated with the university and subsequently became familiar with individuals associated with the centre, which is managed by Samir Mohtadi, also known as Abu Hamza.
The UAE attorney general’s statement indicated that investigators traced the suspect’s ideological background and found evidence of his “drift towards extremism and terrorism” during his time as a student in Australia. However, the statement contained no allegations that anyone at the centre was involved in radicalising the suspect, maintained contact with him, or possessed knowledge of his intentions before the incident. On Sunday night, Mohtadi appeared in a four-minute video posted on the centre’s Facebook page in which he discussed Islamic teachings about maintaining silence when facing criticism and attacks. The video made no reference to the alleged hijacking attempt, the prosecutor’s allegations, or the suspect by name.
The alleged incident occurred on 30 September when the co-pilot, an Omani national, allegedly attempted to hijack a Flydubai aircraft carrying 182 passengers and crew members. Passengers and crew intervened to prevent the alleged plot, which prosecutors characterised as a premeditated terrorist operation. According to the UAE statement, al-Hammami allegedly told investigators he had adopted ideas advocating violence and terrorism and drew inspiration from the 9/11 attacks of 2001. He reportedly underwent intensified exposure to terrorism-promoting material and trained in boxing as part of his alleged preparation.
RMIT University confirmed that al-Hammami studied engineering but departed Australia before completing his degree. He subsequently received flight training in New Zealand and obtained commercial pilot certification. Australian and New Zealand security agencies launched investigations into the suspect’s time in both countries. Australia’s home affairs minister stated the co-pilot was allegedly radicalised through online material and emphasised the government’s commitment to enhancing border screening and online safety measures.
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