Reuters reports that Israeli officials are expected to interrogate the Omani co-pilot who attempted to hijack a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight. The suspect has been transferred to the UAE, where the investigation will take place.
The Omani co-pilot who attempted to crash a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight has been transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, where Israeli officials are expected to interrogate him, Reuters confirmed Friday evening, citing i24NEWS' earlier report. The suspect was moved to UAE custody on Thursday, one day after the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following the midair attack on the captain.
The investigation, as first detailed by The Zioneer on Wednesday, revealed that the co-pilot planned to take control of the cockpit over Jordan and crash the plane into Israeli territory, intending to kill the more than 160 Israelis on board. Mossad Director Roman Gofman has been coordinating Israeli involvement with Saudi and Emirati authorities. A senior advisor to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed confirmed Friday that the incident was a terrorist attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the suspect underwent "Islamist radical indoctrination" and that the attack was intended to cause mass casualties.
Earlier assessments of possible Iranian direction have been ruled out by Israeli officials, who now believe the co-pilot acted alone. The wounded captain remains hospitalized; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with him, saying "the entire country is praying for you." The investigation, conducted jointly by Israeli and Emirati security services, continues to examine the co-pilot's motives and any potential networks or support.
7 developments
- StrongUAE cancels planned flights to Israel amid anger over Shin Bet security check demands — reports
- StrongIsrael has not yet responded officially to reports; forces on ground say they received no movement orders
- ConfirmedIsrael has not yet joined the strikes, source says
- StrongUAE has not acknowledged Netanyahu's meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi
Source and signal
- Open-source intake