Melbourne centre manager rejects link to flydubai suspect

A Melbourne community-centre manager has rejected an alleged connection between his organisation and the Omani flydubai copilot accused of attacking a captain during a September 30 flight, while UAE prosecutors say the pilot had become radicalised in Australia and met people linked to the centre. Samir Mohtadi, also known as Abu Hamza, said he rejects attempts to associate him or My Centre with the alleged attacker. In a statement cited in Australian reporting, he called the claims unfounded and said the centre’s work focused on peace, mutual respect and community wellbeing. He also said authorities should have checked the claims with him before publishing them. The centre and Mohtadi have not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. The prosecutors’ account, as reported, says the copilot became radicalised while studying in Australia, where he read extremist material and consumed online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks. Prosecutors said he was acquainted with people linked to My Centre, which they said was managed by a man known as Abu Hamza.