Flydubai Probe Widens as 2 Maldivian Pilots Detained in UAE over ‘Plot to Down Aircraft’: Report
Authorities are probing possible links between the detained pilots and an alleged attempt to hijack and crash a flydubai flight carrying 174 people.
- UAE police arrested two Maldivian pilots on October 3 regarding the September 30 hijack attempt on FLyDubai flight FZ1073, which carried 174 passengers and crew from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- During the flight, Omani co-pilot Hammam Hammami allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe in an attempted hijack; passengers and crew intervened, forcing an emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Indian Captain Smit Machchhar is responding well to treatment at an Abu Dhabi hospital. The UAE described the incident as an attempted "terrorist attack," noting Hammami was previously barred from obtaining a pilot's license due to suspected extremist ideologies.
- National Investigation Agency registered a case under the Anti-Hijacking Act and Unlawful Activities Act to probe the conspiracy. Authorities detained the Maldivian pilots, who reportedly lived in the same building as Hammami.
- The UAE Attorney General is conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine if the detained pilots had ties to the attacker. No official details regarding evidence against the Maldivian nationals have been released by UAE authorities.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Twist in flydubai case: Why UAE arrested 2 Maldivian pilots after Indian captain Smit Machchhar attacked on FZ1073 flight
Flydubai hijack plot probe widens as UAE authorities reportedly arrest two Maldivian pilots over their alleged links to the September 30 FZ1073 cockpit incident.
Two Maldivian pilots taken into custody in UAE over alleged plot to down flydubai aircraft
The Maldivian authorities have declined to comment on the detention of the two pilots. However, no official details have so far been released by the UAE authorities regarding the allegations against the detained Maldivian nationals or the status of the investigation into their possible involvement.
UAE police have arrested two Maldivian pilots of Flydubai Airlines. They are accused of being involved in an attempted hijacking of a flight involving an Omani co-pilot. Both pilots had recently joined the airline and are now being questioned by police.
2 Maldivian Pilots Detained in UAE Over Alleged Plot to Down Flydubai Plane
The duo were taken into custody on October 3, and their families have been formally informed of their detention by the Maldivian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, Maldivian news portal Adhadhu reported.
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