Dubai: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday said it has opened an investigation into an incident aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that forced the aircraft to divert and land in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that the United Arab Emirates is "closely following" the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073, which was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar fought off his co-pilot, who allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft, which had to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the suspect who allegedly tried to crash the flight to Israel had undergone "Islamist, radical indoctrination". He, however, did not give any details.
Asked who helped radicalise the man, the prime minister said he did not know and that Israel was cooperating with the UAE's investigation.
“We'll get to the bottom of things,” he told Fox News channel's “Fox and Friends.”
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he will seek the extradition of the Omani co-pilot who is accused of attempting to crash the aircraft.
Ben-Gvir, a member of the security cabinet, said he would call on the justice ministry and diplomatic officials at the security cabinet meeting, scheduled later in the day, to use all available means to secure the suspect's extradition to Israel, where he wants him questioned and prosecuted, the Jerusalem Post newspaper reported, quoting a statement issued by the minister's office.
However, neither Saudi Arabia, where the plane was diverted and the suspect is being held, nor Oman, the co-pilot's home country, has diplomatic ties with Israel, potentially making a direct extradition effort complicated.
According to The Times of Israel newspaper, the United Arab Emirates is expected to take custody of the suspect after Saudi Arabia completes its initial investigation.
UAE Attorney-General Counsellor Hamad Al Shamsi had ordered the formation of a team comprising specialised members of the Public Prosecution to investigate the circumstances and causes of the incident, it said.
The development follows flydubai’s announcement that an altercation had occurred in the flight deck, prompting flydubai crew members travelling on board to intervene and secure the aircraft.
The UAE's foreign ministry said that the UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the investigation, in accordance with applicable legislation, as the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies its flag.
Accordingly, UAE law applies to crimes committed on board the aircraft, even when they occur outside UAE territory, it added.
Flydubai is an Emirati government-owned airline based in Dubai.
The investigation includes examining all circumstances and motives surrounding the incident, including any possible connection to terrorist activity or intent, and whether it involved prior planning or direction, the ministry said.
The UAE also expressed its appreciation to the Saudi authorities for their cooperation and handling of the incident.
The investigation team has begun its work in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the relevant authorities in the UAE, the state-run WAM news agency reported.
Al Shamsi directed authorities to investigate the circumstances and motives surrounding the incident to determine "whether it was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose or involved prior planning or direction," the agency said.
The foreign ministry also stressed the importance of relying on information and data issued by official sources and avoiding the circulation of speculation or unreliable information until the investigation is completed.
The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, and the co-pilot, believed to be an Omani national, had been arrested and was being questioned by Saudi authorities, according to authorities.