UAE: 'Flydubai' incident an 'attempted terrorist act'

Abu Dhabi – Agencies: The UAE Public Prosecutor, Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi, announced yesterday that investigations into the Flydubai flight incident revealed that the co-pilot had begun carrying out a terrorist act. (See page 12) He clarified that the co-pilot assaulted the captain inside the cockpit using an emergency axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft’s controls. The UAE Public Prosecutor affirmed that investigations are still ongoing to uncover all circumstances, motives, and connections related to the incident, alongside completing technical examinations and inspecting physical and digital evidence. Final results will be announced as soon as all necessary procedures are completed. Earlier, Al-Shamsi ordered the formation of an investigative team composed of specialized members of the Public Prosecution to probe the incident involving the Flydubai flight, which was en route from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The incident led to the aircraft being diverted and landing safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot before transferring him to the UAE on Thursday. Meanwhile, Arab and Western media revealed that the co-pilot is Omani Hammam Al-Hammami (29 years old), who completed his studies and obtained a degree in aviation management through distance learning from Buckinghamshire New University in 2023. The British newspaper Metro reported that Al-Hammami had previously been barred from working in the Sultanate of Oman for security reasons related to his extremist views. A Gulf diplomat, who requested anonymity, was quoted as saying that an investigation is currently underway to determine whether Al-Hammami acted as a “lone wolf” or had links to any armed groups.