{
  "id": 14072050,
  "title": "Melbourne imam denies links to suspected flydubai hijacker",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/melbourne-imam-denies-links-to-suspected-flydubai-hijacker-14072050",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T00:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/13/melbourne-imam-denies-links-to-suspected-flydubai-hijacker-2"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Australian authorities are probing the possible connections between a Melbourne imam and the suspected co-pilot of a flydubai plane hijacking. The Omani co-pilot, currently held in the United Arab Emirates, allegedly drew inspiration from Al-Qaeda's 9/11 attacks, aiming to cause maximum casualties. Prosecutors in the UAE claimed he became radicalized while studying in Australia through extremist literature and online content. An imam from Melbourne, Samir Mohtadi, or Abu Hamza as he is also known, has vehemently denied any association with the co-pilot. He stated that he neither knew the man nor had he ever preached violence. Abu Hamza emphasized that his community center, My Centre, has no record of the co-pilot attending. Authorities in Australia and New Zealand are also investigating the co-pilot's alleged presence in New Zealand on a student visa.",
  "summary": "The co-pilot was reportedly radicalised while studying in Australia through extremist literature and online content glorifying terrorist groups.",
  "key_points": [
    "Melbourne imam Samir Mohtadi denies links to suspected hijacker.",
    "Omani co-pilot held in UAE, allegedly radicalized in Australia.",
    "Authorities probe possible connections between imam and hijacker."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The investigation into the Melbourne imam highlights the growing scrutiny on religious leaders as authorities attempt to trace the international pathways of radicalization that linked Australian studies to overseas terrorism.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Melbourne imam denies links to suspected flydubai hijacker",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/melbourne-imam-denies-links-to-suspected-flydubai-hijacker-14073229",
        "published": "2026-10-13T00:02:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Melbourne imam denies links to suspected flydubai hijacker",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/melbourne-imam-denies-links-to-suspected-flydubai-hijacker",
        "published": "2026-10-13T00:06:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Melbourne imam denies links to suspected flydubai hijacker",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/melbourne-imam-denies-links-to-suspected-flydubai-hijacker-14077492",
        "published": "2026-10-13T00:30:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "‘Never met him’: Melbourne imam rejects UAE claims linking Aussie centre to flydubai co-pilot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/never-met-him-melbourne-imam-rejects-uae-claims-linking-aussie-centre",
        "published": "2026-10-13T00:45:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}