Australian authorities investigate alleged flydubai cockpit attack
Australia’s Federal Police are examining whether the flydubai co-pilot accused of stabbing the pilot and attempting to crash the aircraft had links to Australia. The plane, carrying 174 people, plunged nearly 14,000 feet before diverting to Saudi Arabia. Investigators are also examining whether the man was radicalised during his stay there.
The Australian Federal Police are investigating the alleged Australian links of a flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the pilot and attempting to crash a passenger aircraft. The incident occurred on Wednesday on a flight bound for Tel Aviv with 174 people aboard. The plane reportedly plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before diverting to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing.
The investigation is being conducted by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes the AFP, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. An AFP spokesperson said further information would be provided at an appropriate time. Sources close to the case said the co-pilot received an Australian student visa in 2014 and studied in the country between 2015 and 2017 before leaving.
The ABC reported that the visa was not cancelled on character grounds, but became invalid after he was no longer enrolled in a course. Investigators are expected to examine whether the man was radicalised while in Australia. The supplied material does not identify the co-pilot or provide details of any charges or findings.
The inquiry follows the alleged stabbing in the cockpit and the aircraft’s rapid loss of altitude. The emergency landing brought the flight to safety in Saudi Arabia, where the wider investigation into the incident is being led by authorities in the United Arab Emirates, according to the supplied material.
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