Melbourne centre manager rejects 'false accusations' after UAE alleges link to Flydubai co-pilot

A Melbourne Islamic community centre manager known as Abu Hamza has rejected what he called "false accusations", according to reports by France 24, which credits AFP, and the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Prosecutors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) linked his centre to an Omani co-pilot accused of attacking his captain on a Flydubai flight.

The two outlets' texts largely match. France 24 credits AFP, while the SCMP text reviewed carries no wire credit. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi may therefore share a common origin, and no claim below has been independently confirmed.

Neither Abu Hamza nor the centre, known as "My Centre", is accused of any criminal wrongdoing, according to France 24. Local media have also identified Abu Hamza as Samir Mohtadi, France 24 reported.

The flight

According to France 24, the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv operated on 30 September. The co-pilot is accused of attacking the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, with an emergency axe. The captain fought back and tried to call for help.

A pilot assigned to the return flight was on board. According to the prosecutor's findings, as quoted by France 24, he entered the cockpit and "intervened with the assistance of a cabin crew member and several passengers, and together they rescued the injured captain and restrained the suspect". He and his co-pilot landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Both outlets report the co-pilot is in custody in the UAE.

The prosecutor's allegations

Emirati state media published the findings in the week before 12 October. The prosecutor alleges the co-pilot drew inspiration from al-Qaeda's 11 September 2001 attacks. It alleges he acted "with the aim of causing the greatest possible loss of life". It says he was first radicalised while studying at Australia's RMIT University. It also says he became acquainted with "My Centre" there.

Australian police and intelligence services have said they are investigating the man's links to Australia, according to France 24. National broadcaster RNZ reported that New Zealand police said the co-pilot spent time in New Zealand on a six-month student visa. RNZ also reported that he completed part of his flight training there.

What is disputed

The prosecutor alleges a connection between the co-pilot and the centre. Abu Hamza describes the accusations as false. France 24 reports he did not comment directly on the prosecutor's claims. SCMP's headline and subheading, however, describe him as rejecting UAE links and decrying claims that the co-pilot was radicalised at his organisation.

What each side says

• UAE prosecutor: the co-pilot was radicalised "through reading extremist literature and following online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks", France 24 quoted the prosecutor as saying.
• Abu Hamza, in a video posted on social media, according to France 24: "They're going to continue accusing you ... making false accusations." He also said: "The best thing sometimes is not to say anything."
• Australian police and intelligence services: they are investigating.

The reports do not name the co-pilot. They do not describe formal charges or court proceedings, or any response from him or a lawyer. They do not give the condition of the captain or others injured. Beyond placing the alleged contact with the centre during his studies in Australia, they do not detail its nature, or any independent verification of the findings. The SCMP text reviewed is truncated.

Analysis

The case rests largely on prosecutors' findings relayed through Emirati state media and closely matching news reports, one of which credits a wire service. This limits what can be established at this stage. Much may depend on the outcome of the Australian investigation. It may support, qualify or not address the alleged link to the Melbourne centre. Formal court proceedings, if they occur, could test the prosecutor's account publicly. Meanwhile, the case shows how naming people or institutions not accused of wrongdoing can affect their reputations. Statements from the co-pilot's defence, Flydubai, RMIT University or Omani authorities could add context. None of these appears in the reports reviewed.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.