Omani co-pilot who attacked Capt Machchhar, had extremist views, spent most time in Syria: Report

DUBAI: The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, in a terror-driven attempt to bring down the aircraft, has been identified as Hamam Alhamami, according to Al Arabiya English sources.

According to a report by Al Arabiya English on Friday (local time), citing sources, the Omani co-pilot had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about extremist views, influenced during an earlier stay in Syria.

Alhamami left Oman after authorities prevented him from flying over concerns about his extremist views, Al Arabiya reported. ‹› Citing sources, it further reported that the Omani co-pilot had spent most of his time outside the country, particularly in Syria, where he was influenced by extremist ideas before travelling to the UAE.

CNN, meanwhile, reported that the Omani co-pilot had been removed from a previous job at Oman’s national airline last year following concerns about his extremist views. A regional diplomatic source familiar with the matter told CNN that the suspect was removed from training because of concerns that he had radical views, but was subsequently given another role at the airline.