UAE Launches Probe into Flydubai Incident, Considering Terrorism Angle

The UAE's Attorney General has ordered the formation of a special investigative team to examine the incident aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Israel. The official Emirates News Agency reported that the investigation will consider whether the event constituted an act of terrorism. This follows Flydubai's statement about a confrontation in the cockpit during the flight, which required intervention from the crew to secure the aircraft. The investigative team has begun its work in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority and relevant national authorities.

The Attorney General has directed that all necessary steps be taken to gather information and evidence to ascertain the facts, circumstances, and motives behind the incident. The probe will specifically assess any potential links to terrorist activity or motives, or if the event was a result of prior planning or direction. The Attorney General urged the public to refrain from speculation or disseminating unverified information until the authorities complete their fact-gathering and verification process, and to rely solely on official information.

The UAE legal authorities assert their jurisdiction to investigate the incident under applicable law, given that the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag, making UAE law applicable to offenses committed aboard, even if they occurred outside the country's territory. The flight, carrying 174 Israeli passengers, was diverted to Saudi Arabia and later landed at Ben Gurion Airport. One passenger, a 51-year-old man, was evacuated with minor chest injuries, while others required no medical attention.

Following initial indications from Israeli officials suggesting a potential terror incident, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated it was a "jihadist attack attempt," adding that initial information suggested the perpetrator's intent was to crash the plane with all its passengers. Israel officially defines the event as a terror attack, though security sources indicated no clear evidence of Iranian direction. Saudi authorities have shared limited details of their investigation with Israel, but the primary line of inquiry reportedly focuses on a lone perpetrator intending to crash the aircraft.