Author:
Publication: The Guardian
Date: July 10, 2015
URL: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/09/federal-police-monitored-indonesian-airline-pilots-allegedly-radicalised-by-isis

The AFP has been monitoring the Facebook posts of two Indonesian pilots who appear to have been radicalised by pro-Isis elements

Two Indonesian pilots who appear to have been influenced by pro-Islamic State elements are being monitored by Australian Federal Police over concerns they may pose a security threat, an intelligence website says.

The alleged radicalisation of Ridwan Agustin, alias Hobi Panahan, and Tommy Hendratno, alias Tomi Abu Alfatih, was detailed in an 18 March operational intelligence report compiled by the AFP and obtained by website The Intercept.

The AFP report – marked “for official use only” – analyses Facebook posts by the two pilots that appear to support Isis.

The Intercept reports that Agustin formerly worked for AirAsia Indonesia, while Premiair says Hendratno ceased working for them on 1 June.

Agustin graduated from the AirAsia academy in 2010 and flew international and domestic routes, the intelligence report states.

He began posting material indicating his support for Isis from September 2014 – posts which Hendratno “liked”.

The AFP also noted that Agustin had commented on the page of Heri Kustyanto, who it’s believed left his Indonesian family to fight with Isis in Syria or Iraq.

At the time of the report, Agustin was active on Facebook as Hobi Panahan, was befriending radicals, and listed his current city as Raqqa, Syria.

The AFP report says Hendratno, meanwhile, lives in Bogor, near Jakarta, and was a pilot for the Indonesian Navy before Garuda and Premiair.

He had posted photos of trips around the world, including to Australia, but by December 2014 was posting pro-Islamic State material. His friends list included many military and commercial pilots.

The report concluded that pilots, if they become radicalised, were an obvious threat, “as witnessed by past global events” and noted that a recent edition of the al-Qaeda magazine had encouraged aviation attacks. Both men were trained pilots with contacts in the industry, it said.

The AFP distributed the report to partners in Turkey, Jordan, London, the US and Europol, The Intercept reported.

In a statement, the AFP said it did not comment on matters of intelligence.

“The AFP maintains strong relationships with its domestic and foreign law enforcement partners to ensure the ongoing safety of Australians both within Australia and abroad,” it said.