The Flydubai co-pilot reportedly told interrogators that he deliberately sought an airline flying to Tel Aviv, chose Flydubai for that specific reason, tried to get hired by all such carriers, and planned the attack before being hired, according to Israeli journalist Moria Asraf.
New details from the interrogation of the Flydubai co-pilot emerged this evening, revealing the depth of his premeditation. According to journalist Moria Asraf, the suspect told investigators that he deliberately researched which airlines operate flights to Tel Aviv, chose Flydubai for that reason, and tried to get hired by all such carriers. He stated that he had planned the attack even before his hiring at Flydubai.
The development confirms and expands upon what The Zioneer reported earlier this evening (20:13 Jerusalem) — that the co-pilot admitted to planning the attempted hijacking of September 30 before joining Flydubai and deliberately targeting the airline's Dubai–Tel Aviv route. The earlier report followed statements the suspect made to interrogators that were first aired on a news broadcast (20:02 Jerusalem).
The investigation has progressed since Saturday, when The Zioneer reported (19:07 Jerusalem) that an Israeli investigative team had arrived in the United Arab Emirates to question the Omani co-pilot. Subsequent updates revealed that the suspect, Hamam al-Hammami, was previously fired by Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc after extremist materials were found in his possession, and that he had published content supporting al-Qaeda (19:55 Jerusalem, Saturday).
The attempted attack occurred on September 30, when the co-pilot stabbed the captain and tried to crash the aircraft into Israeli territory. Israeli passengers subdued him, and the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned of a potential state-sponsored element, though investigations by Israeli, UAE, and Australian authorities continue. It remains unclear whether the suspect acted alone or received external direction.
8 developments
- StrongOmani co-pilot told interrogators he planned to crash plane at Ben Gurion as 'revenge for Gaza'
- StrongFlydubai passengers tell New York Post: crew asked us to release terrorist co-pilot
- StrongShin Bet investigating terrorist who attempted to hijack Flydubai flight
- DevelopingIsrael Hayom reports new details linking Flydubai hijacking suspect to Iran
Source and signal
- Open-source intake