Israel to Question Co-Pilot in Alleged Flydubai Plane Sabotage Attempt

Israeli officials are expected to question the co-pilot accused of attempting to bring down a commercial passenger flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to an informed source. The specific Israeli agency involved in the interrogation was not disclosed. An Israeli government official confirmed to Reuters that Israeli investigators would participate in the probe, led by the UAE, to determine the circumstances and motives behind the suspect's actions. The UAE's state news agency reported that authorities had opened an investigation to ascertain if the incident was linked to terrorism or involved prior planning.

The alleged sabotage attempt occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers and crew. Passengers and flight crew managed to subdue the co-pilot, who reportedly stabbed the captain. A reserve crew of Flydubai pilots, who were on board, landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was detained. He was transferred to the UAE on Thursday.

Flydubai's CEO described the incident as a "safety-related event" within the cockpit and stated that a formal investigation is underway, acknowledging "many questions" surrounding the flight. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented that Israel is investigating whether the co-pilot acted on instructions from any entity, warning that those involved would "pay a heavy price." Netanyahu had previously stated that the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, had undergone extremist Islamic ideological indoctrination and exhibited suicidal tendencies, though a specific motive remains undetermined.

The incident has heightened security concerns in Israel weeks before the October 27 general election, with security issues dominating the election campaigns following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks.