Flydubai Co-Pilot Suspected in Attack Attempt Transferred for Investigation

The co-pilot suspected of an attempted attack on a FlyDubai flight has been transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates for further investigation. An Israeli investigation team is expected to join the inquiry soon. Israeli authorities are seeking to determine if the suspect intentionally planned to crash the plane, if he acted alone, or if he received external assistance or direction. Currently, the assessment in Israel is that he acted alone, with no indication found of Iranian involvement or direction by a terrorist organization, though the investigation is ongoing.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior stated that the main pilot has also returned to Abu Dhabi, following an improvement in the medical condition of both pilots. Both pilots were escorted by security personnel from the UAE. When asked if the pilot might have been "implanted there by the Revolutionary Guards" or had been otherwise radicalized and attempted to crash the plane, a response was given that "it could be, yes."

According to a security official, "From the investigation's perspective, all directions are open. We are examining both possibilities regarding the outcome the co-pilot aimed for: whether he intended to crash the plane with its 160 Israeli passengers, or if he intended to land in a third country."