- Subheading: Abu Hamza rejects allegations linking his Islamic community centre to the detained Omani pilot, insists he has consistently preached peace and condemns violence in all its forms.
SYDNEY: A Melbourne-based imam has denied any connection with an Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai aircraft, after prosecutors in the United Arab Emirates reportedly linked the man to an Islamic community centre in Australia.
The imam, identified in local media as Abu Hamza, also known as Samir Mohtadi, said he had never met the co-pilot, identified in reports as Hamam Al-Hammami, and that there was no record of the man attending his centre, known as “My Center.”
In a statement posted on social media late Monday, Abu Hamza rejected the reported association and questioned why the allegations had been published without first being verified with him.
“The relevant authorities should have verified these claims with me before releasing or publishing such information,” he said, adding that he had “consistently preached peace” throughout his life.
“We unequivocally reject violence in all its forms,” he stated.
According to findings attributed to UAE prosecutors and published by state media last week, the detained co-pilot had allegedly been inspired by Al-Qaeda’s September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Prosecutors alleged that he attempted to attack the aircraft’s captain with the intention of causing the greatest possible loss of life.
The prosecution’s findings further stated that the co-pilot had become radicalised while studying in Australia through extremist literature and online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks.
Prosecutors also alleged that he was acquainted in Australia with an organisation known as “My Center,” managed by a Lebanese man identified as Abu Hamza. However, neither the centre nor Abu Hamza has been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with the case.
Australian police and intelligence agencies have confirmed that they are investigating the co-pilot’s links to the country.
Meanwhile, New Zealand police reportedly confirmed that the co-pilot had spent time in the country on a six-month student visa, during which he completed part of his flight training, according to New Zealand’s national broadcaster, RNZ.
The investigations in Australia and New Zealand are expected to examine the co-pilot’s movements, training and associations as authorities continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.
BY: The Times Union
