UAE: Deputy Pilot of 'Flydubai' Plane Initiated Terrorist Operation

The Emirates News Agency reported on Saturday that the UAE’s Public Prosecutor, Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi, said investigations into the Flydubai flight incident, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, revealed that the co-pilot began carrying out a terrorist act. He explained that the co-pilot “executed his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the cockpit with an emergency axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft’s controls.” The Public Prosecutor confirmed that investigations are ongoing to uncover all circumstances, motives, and related links of the incident, as well as to complete technical examinations and the analysis of physical and digital evidence. Final results will be announced as soon as the necessary procedures are completed, according to the agency. The Flydubai flight, number FZ1073, which departed from Dubai International Airport bound for Tel Aviv last Wednesday, made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.