RMIT Confirms Alleged Flydubai Attacker Studied There as 182-Person Tel Aviv Flight Probe Widens
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Oct 5
RMIT Confirms Alleged Flydubai Attacker Studied There as 182-Person Tel Aviv Flight Probe Widens
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Oct 5
Summary
RMIT said the alleged Flydubai co-pilot attacker was enrolled at its Melbourne campus but did not complete an engineering qualification.
The confirmation adds to an Australian counterterrorism probe after passengers and crew stopped the co-pilot from trying to seize the 30 September Dubai-Tel Aviv flight carrying 182 people.
UAE prosecutors said the suspect used a crash axe in the alleged terrorist attack and stabbed the pilot mid-air; the co-pilot and captain were then taken to the UAE as multiple countries joined the investigation.
Australian police said the man arrived on a student visa in 2015, left in 2017 and had his visa canceled in 2019 after authorities confirmed he was no longer enrolled.
The case has also drawn scrutiny to his wider background: Buckinghamshire New University confirmed he completed a distance-learning aviation management course, while the Wall Street Journal reported Oman had barred him from flying over extremist concerns.