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

Abu Dhabi – Agencies: The UAE Public Prosecutor, Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi, announced yesterday that investigations into the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073 revealed that the co-pilot began executing a terrorist act. He clarified that the co-pilot carried out his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the cockpit with an emergency axe and attempting to seize control of the aircraft’s controls. The UAE Public Prosecutor confirmed that investigations are 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 look into the incident involving the Flydubai flight, which was traveling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The incident forced the aircraft to divert and land safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. This follows Flydubai’s earlier statement regarding a scuffle inside the cockpit during the flight, which required intervention by crew members on board to secure the aircraft.

The investigative team began its work in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority and relevant state authorities, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

On Friday, Anwar Gargash, advisor to the UAE President, praised Indian pilot Smit Machar, who was attacked during the incident, describing him as embodying courage, responsibility, professionalism, and a strong moral compass in confronting what he termed a “serious terrorist act.” Gargash called for avoiding hasty conclusions or embracing conspiracy theories about the incident, while emphasizing the importance of vigilance and caution in the face of the risks posed by extremism and terrorism.

Al Arabiya channel previously quoted a well-informed American source stating that the Flydubai co-pilot, who carried out the attack during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, had been influenced by extremist ideas during his previous stay in Syria. The sources added that the co-pilot had been banned from flying by Oman, as Omani authorities recognized his extremist views. The sources indicated that the Omani co-pilot, named Hammam Al-Hammami, had left the Sultanate of Oman after being barred from flying, prior to his departure for the UAE.