Australia Probes Flydubai Hijacker’s Student Visa Period

Australia Investigates Flydubai Hijacker’s Past on Student Visa

Australian police are looking into the time a flydubai hijacker, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, spent in the country. Al-Hammami, an Omani national, was the co-pilot on the flight. The investigation is being handled by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes members from the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, and ASIO. Authorities are examining his connections, movements, and activities while he was in Australia, particularly during the period he held an Australian student visa.

Visa History and Cancellation

Sources indicate that al-Hammami was granted an Australian student visa in 2014. He studied in Australia from 2015 to 2017 before leaving the country. His student visa was officially cancelled in 2019 because he was no longer enrolled in a course. This cancellation was reportedly based on his non-enrolment status, not on any concerns about his character at that time. The period of his studies, from 2015 to 2017, provides a specific timeframe for investigators to examine his activities.

Scope of the Investigation

The current inquiry is focused on al-Hammami’s links to Australia and what he did during his stay. Investigators are exploring whether any radicalization may have occurred while he was living and studying there. While his visa was cancelled due to non-enrolment, the security investigation is looking at a broader scope of his connections and actions within Australia. This is a separate matter from the immigration status that led to the visa’s cancellation.

International Inquiries

In addition to the Australian investigation, authorities in the United Arab Emirates are also examining the incident and potential motives. The Australian team is tracing al-Hammami’s connections within Australia, while the UAE prosecutor is investigating the hijacking event itself. These two investigations are addressing different aspects of the overall situation.

Further Education and Aviation Studies

After leaving Australia, al-Hammami reportedly completed a distance-learning course in aviation management from Buckinghamshire New University in the United Kingdom, finishing in 2023. The university confirmed he completed this degree program but stated he did not undertake any pilot training there. This information distinguishes his academic pursuits in aviation management from any practical pilot instruction. Flydubai has suspended its Tel Aviv route following the incident, as Australian authorities continue their work to understand al-Hammami’s past in the country.

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