Flydubai incident: Omani co-pilot handed over to UAE; Trump suspects Iran’s role
Condition of Captain Smit Machchhar, who fought off co-pilot, saving lives of 174 on board, is stable; probe underway to establish motive behind attack
The co-pilot who allegedly tried to crash an Israel-bound flydubai flight, prompting an emergency landing of the aircraft in Saudi Arabia, has been handed over to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia has said, according to AP.
The development comes hours after Emirati authorities launched an independent probe into the incident, since the plane is registered in the UAE, giving it jurisdiction to investigate crimes committed on board.
Horror mid-air
A severely wounded Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, on Wednesday (September 30) fought off his co-pilot and opened the cockpit door in time to help the other passengers and crew overpower him and initiate an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The plane had 174 passengers on board, mostly Israelis, including 27 children.
Also read: Who is Captain Smit Machchhar? Indian Flydubai pilot injured in cockpit confrontation
Passengers on the FlyDubai plane, which was en route to Tel Aviv from the UAE, have described how the bloodied Indian captain managed to open the cockpit door to let them in before they grappled with the co-pilot and stabilised a descent so sharp that the plane's rudder was torn away.
A video shot inside the plane by Shota Musayev, a dentist who treated the captain, shows the co-pilot on his knees, with his hands tied behind his back. The co-pilot's name has not been released, although he is said to be an Omani national, and his condition is unknown.
Co-pilot underwent radical indoctrination: Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (October 1) said the suspect 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, according to AP.
Also read: 'There was a lot of blood’: How passengers responded to the Flydubai cockpit attack
“We'll get to the bottom of things,” he told Fox News channel's Fox and Friends.
Trump suspects Iranian hand
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump suspects the co-pilot may be linked to Iran.
While he did not elaborate on the allegations, when asked by reporters if he has been briefed about any such links he said, “I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes, but we’re working on it right now.”
Asked if the US would retaliate against Tehran if it was found to have been behind the attack, Trump said, “Oh they’ll be hit, very hard, don’t worry.”
Also read: Trump says Iran may be linked to flydubai copilot who tried to crash Israel-bound jet
Earlier, asked if there is any indication of Iranian involvement, Netanyahu told Fox News “it's too early to say”.
Netanyahu earlier said he also spoke with the UAE's president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who agreed that Israel would join the interrogation of the suspect.
Captain Machchhar shifted to Abu Dhabi, condition stable
India on Thursday said it is keeping a close tab on the health of Captain Machchhar.
Machchhar has been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care and recovery after he received initial medical treatment in a hospital in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk.
"We continue to closely follow the health condition of Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and the brave pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ 1073," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
"After receiving initial medical treatment in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, he has now been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery," it said.
Also read: Brave Indian pilot saves the day, passengers fly plane to safety: What happened on Flydubai flight
The MEA said Indian ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal met Captain Machchhar in the hospital and enquired about his well-being.
"Earlier, he also met his family and assured all possible support for the Captain's health and well-being," it said.
"Our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are in close touch with the local authorities in the matter. We once again salute Captain Smit Machchhar's valour and courage," it said.
"We also convey our deep appreciation for the admiration and support he has received from across the world for his act of gallantry," it added.
Probe underway, cause still unknown
Investigators worked Thursday to determine why the co-pilot stabbed Machchhar and was allegedly planning to crash the aircraft.
On Thursday, Israeli intelligence and security officials were in Saudi Arabia to help investigate the co-pilot, according to another regional official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, as per AP.
Israel has requested that the copilot be sent to Israel for the investigation, though it is unclear if that request will be granted, the official said.
Saudi Arabia does not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel, but the countries have long cooperated on security and intelligence matters through alternative channels.
The UAE government said its own investigation team had begun looking into the attack and “whether it was linked to any terrorist purpose,” noting that Emirati authorities have jurisdiction because the plane is registered there and UAE law applies to crimes committed on board.