Saudi Arabia handed over the Omani co-pilot accused of trying to hijack a Flydubai flight to the United Arab Emirates, a senior Israeli official confirmed Thursday evening. Israeli teams are expected to request travel to the UAE as early as next week, the official said.
A senior Israeli official confirmed Thursday evening that Saudi Arabia has handed over to the United Arab Emirates the Omani co-pilot suspected of attempting to hijack a Flydubai flight. The official said Israeli teams are expected to request permission to travel to the UAE as early as next week to take part in the investigation, which is being conducted under Emirati jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE.
The extradition materializes earlier reports on Thursday that the suspect would be transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE. Throughout the day, the UAE foreign ministry announced the formation of a special prosecution team to investigate the incident, citing a cockpit confrontation onboard the flight. The ministry stated that authorities are examining whether the act was linked to terrorist activity. Saudi authorities separately confirmed they are continuing their investigation and that passenger handling followed international protocols. Israel's envoy to the UAE earlier told Reuters that the suspect is an Omani national.
As The Zioneer reported, the incident occurred Wednesday on Flydubai flight FZ1073 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Omani co-pilot is alleged to have stabbed the captain and attempted to hijack the aircraft, with plans to crash it in Israel, according to the investigation. Israeli passengers subdued the attacker, and the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The UAE and Saudi authorities have been cooperating on the investigation, which is looking into possible terrorist motives.
The investigation remains ongoing. Israeli teams are expected to seek authorization from relevant authorities to travel to the UAE next week to join the probe. Further details on the suspect's motives and any potential links to terror networks have not yet been disclosed.
4 developments
- DevelopingIsrael Hayom reports new details linking Flydubai hijacking suspect to Iran
- ConfirmedFlydubai co-pilot reportedly targeted Tel Aviv-bound flights months before attack, sought airlines flying to Israel
- DevelopingShin Bet representatives fly to UAE to participate in interrogation of Omani pilot
- DevelopingBen-Gvir: Israel Should Seek Extradition of Flydubai Co-Pilot
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