Melbourne man hits back at ‘false accusations’ over alleged flydubai cockpit attack

A Melbourne-based Islamic community centre manager has spoken out against what he describes as “false accusations” after prosecutors in the United Arab Emirates linked the centre to an Omani pilot accused of attacking the captain of a flydubai passenger aircraft.

The man, identified in local media as Samir Mohtadi and known as Abu Hamza, addressed the allegations in a social media video. Although he did not directly respond to the specific claims made by UAE prosecutors, he criticised what he described as a pattern of people being unfairly targeted.

“Right through the ages… those who’re righteous, they’ve always been attacked, abused, accused, killed, imprisoned,” he said.

“The best thing sometimes is not to say anything,” he added, warning that what he called false accusations would continue.

The remarks come as authorities investigate the background of the Omani co-pilot, who is accused of attacking the captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.

What UAE prosecutors allege about the co-pilot

According to findings published by UAE state media, investigators believe the co-pilot was influenced by extremist material while studying in Australia.

Prosecutors alleged that he had read extremist literature and followed online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks. They also claimed he had drawn inspiration from Al-Qaeda’s September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

The findings state that the suspect allegedly carried out his actions with the intention of causing the greatest possible loss of life.

Investigators further alleged that the man knew an organisation referred to as “My Centre”, which prosecutors said was managed by Abu Hamza.

However, neither My Centre nor Abu Hamza has been accused of criminal wrongdoing in connection with the case. The alleged association should therefore be distinguished from any finding of involvement in the cockpit incident.

How the alleged attack unfolded aboard the flight

The incident reportedly took place on a September 30 flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

According to the UAE prosecutor’s account, the Omani co-pilot allegedly used an emergency axe to attack the aircraft’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar.

The captain reportedly fought back and attempted to call for assistance as the situation unfolded inside the cockpit.

Another pilot, who was assigned to the return flight and was also aboard the aircraft, noticed that the cockpit door was opening and closing repeatedly in an unusual manner.

The pilot intervened with the help of a cabin crew member and several passengers. Together, they reportedly managed to reach the injured captain and restrain the suspect.

The pilots subsequently diverted the aircraft to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed.

The account published by UAE state media provides the authorities’ version of events. The allegations against the co-pilot should not be treated as a final determination of guilt.

Australia and New Zealand investigations add another layer

The suspect’s time outside Oman has become an important part of the investigation, with authorities examining his movements and possible connections in other countries.

Australian police and intelligence services have confirmed that they are investigating his links to Australia, where UAE prosecutors allege he became radicalised while studying.

New Zealand has also emerged in the investigation. According to reporting by national broadcaster RNZ, police said the man had spent time in the country on a six-month student visa and completed part of his flight training there.

These developments place the focus on the suspect’s international travel, education and aviation training as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.

However, the fact that a person studied or trained in a particular country does not, on its own, establish that institutions or organisations they encountered there were involved in criminal activity.

Why the Melbourne centre has come under scrutiny

The allegations involving My Centre have brought Abu Hamza’s public response into focus, particularly because prosecutors have referred to an alleged connection between the organisation and the suspect’s time in Australia.

His social media remarks did not directly address the nature of that alleged connection or provide a detailed response to the prosecutors’ findings.

Instead, he spoke more broadly about being accused and attacked, suggesting that remaining silent can sometimes be preferable to responding to criticism.

The distinction matters as the investigation continues. While authorities have outlined allegations about the co-pilot’s alleged radicalisation and his international background, no criminal wrongdoing has been alleged against My Centre or Abu Hamza in the information released about the case.

For now, the central questions remain what led to the alleged cockpit attack, how the suspect’s activities developed over time and what investigators can establish about his movements and associations.

Further findings from the authorities may clarify those questions as the investigation progresses.

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Source: IOL