Australia probes Flydubai co-pilot’s links to the country

Australian authorities have opened a counterterrorism investigation into the links between Australia and the Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The Australian Federal Police said the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, is conducting the inquiry and will provide an update at an appropriate time. The investigation is examining the co-pilot’s connections to Australia and whether he was radicalized there, according to reporting on the inquiry. Australian agencies have not announced findings on either question. Their confirmation of an investigation does not establish that radicalization occurred in Australia or that any Australian connection was related to the alleged attack. A source familiar with the case, but not authorized to speak publicly, told Australian media that the co-pilot received a student visa in 2014 and studied in Australia from 2015 until leaving in 2017. The source said the visa was cancelled in 2019 because he was no longer enrolled in a course.