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Melbourne leader denies flydubai attack suspect links — AI-generated representative image. An Islamic community centre in suburban Melbourne, Australia, of the type at the centre of the dispute.

Editorial Team

Samir Mohtadi rejects UAE prosecutors' claims tying his MyCentre organisation to the Omani co-pilot accused in the aviation incident.

A Melbourne community leader has strongly rejected claims by United Arab Emirates prosecutors linking his Islamic community centre to the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a flydubai aircraft in September.

Samir Mohtadi, also known as Abu Hamza, described the allegations as false and unfounded, insisting that neither he nor his organisation has any association with the suspect.

The dispute centres on a serious aviation security incident that has drawn scrutiny to the suspect's time studying in Australia. Prosecutors allege the co-pilot was radicalised during that period, raising questions about oversight of individuals later cleared to work in commercial aviation.

Mohtadi's response matters because his centre has served Australian communities for decades, and the allegations risk damaging its reputation while no criminal wrongdoing has been alleged against either him or the organisation.

Prosecutor's Findings and the Attack

According to the Emirati prosecutor's findings published by state media last week, the Omani co-pilot drew inspiration from Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001 attacks and carried out his attempt with the aim of causing the greatest possible loss of life.

During the September 30 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the suspect used an emergency axe to attack the plane's Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, who fought back and attempted to call for help.

A second pilot assigned to the return flight, who was also on board, noticed the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly in an unusual manner before intervening with the assistance of a cabin crew member and several passengers to rescue the injured captain and restrain the suspect.

Alleged Radicalisation in Australia

The prosecutor said the co-pilot, identified in multiple media reports as Hamam al-Hammami, first became radicalised while studying in Australia through reading extremist literature and following online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks.

The prosecutor alleged the suspect was acquainted there with an organisation known as MyCentre, managed by a Lebanese man called Abu Hamza. Neither MyCentre nor Abu Hamza have been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.

Mohtadi's Response

In a four-minute video posted on MyCentre's Facebook page on Sunday, Mohtadi rejected what he called false accusations, saying that throughout history those who are righteous have always been attacked, abused, accused, killed and imprisoned.

He did not directly address the prosecutor's claims in the video, but in a separate statement cited by Australia's ABC news outlet, Mohtadi said he strongly rejects any attempt to associate him or the centre with the alleged attacker.

"The relevant authorities should have verified these claims with me before releasing or publishing such information," the statement said, adding that throughout his life he has consistently preached peace and that the centre has always focused on promoting peace, harmony, mutual respect and community wellbeing.

What Lies Ahead

The co-pilot remains in custody in the UAE as the investigation continues. Mohtadi has called the claims unfounded and misleading, warning they risk unfairly damaging the reputation of an organisation that has served the wider Australian community for decades.

Australian police have been reported as investigating the co-pilot's ties to Australia, though no further official confirmation of the scope or timeline of that inquiry has been released.