A man in Melbourne who runs an Islamic community center has rejected UAE prosecutors’ claims linking his organization to an Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack a Flydubai aircraft.
Samir Mohtadi, also known as Abu Hamza, described the allegations against him and the Multicultural Youth Centre (My Center), which he manages, as “unfounded” and “false accusations” that risk damaging the organization’s reputation. His response came after prosecutors in the United Arab Emirates alleged that the suspect became acquainted with people associated with the center while studying in Melbourne in 2017.
The incident occurred on Sept. 30 during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Omani co-pilot, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, allegedly used an emergency axe to attack the aircraft’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar. According to the findings, the captain fought back and tried to call for help. A second pilot assigned to the return flight noticed the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly. He, along with cabin crew members and several passengers, helped rescue the captain and restrain the suspect. The flight was then diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot is now in UAE custody.
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According to findings published by Emirati state media last week, the suspect drew inspiration from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Prosecutors said the alleged attack was intended to cause the “greatest possible loss of life.” They alleged that he was radicalized while studying in Australia through what they described as “extremist literature and online content glorifying terrorist groups and suicide attacks.” They also said he was acquainted with people associated with My Center.
Meanwhile, Mohtadi posted a four-minute video on My Center’s Facebook page in which he indirectly addressed the allegations. In the video, he said, “Right through the ages, those who’re righteous, they’ve always been attacked, abused, accused, killed, imprisoned — and this is the way it is.”
Although he did not explicitly mention the UAE prosecutors’ claims in the video, Australian broadcaster ABC cited Mohtadi’s response in its reporting. He strongly rejected attempts to link him and his organization to the suspect, saying authorities should have checked the allegations with him before publishing them.
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“Both in my work and the work of the center have always focused on promoting peace, harmony, mutual respect and community wellbeing. We unequivocally reject violence in all its forms. I strongly reject any attempt to associate me or [the] Multicultural Youth Centre with Al-Hammami. Such claims are unfounded, misleading and risk unfairly damaging the reputation of an organization that has served the wider Australian community for decades,” Mohtadi added.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and other agencies are investigating the suspect’s connections to the country, amid reports that he studied engineering at a university in Melbourne but did not complete his degree. New Zealand authorities are also examining his time in the country, where he reportedly completed part of his flight training.