Flydubai hijacker previously banned from flying in Oman over radicalization concerns - report
The report follows comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the attempted hijacking, saying that the hijacker underwent radical Islamist indoctrination and was clearly suicidal.
A Wall Street Journal report revealed that the Flydubai hijacker had been previously banned from flying by Omani authorities due to their concerns over his radical ideological views. The Omani pilot was allegedly hired by the UAE-based carrier Flydubai despite these concerns, though it remains uncertain whether the airline was aware of the issue.
The motive behind the hijack attempt, which saw the pilot stab Captain Smit Machchhar in a failed effort to seize Flydubai flight FZ1073, is still unclear. Omani authorities and Flydubai have declined to comment on the matter. The hijacker was apprehended by Saudi authorities after the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, before being transferred to UAE custody.
Israeli officials are set to question the suspect in the UAE as part of an Emirati-led investigation into the hijacker's motives and background.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Report: Flydubai attacker had been banned from flying due to radicalization israelnationalnews.com
