Netanyahu claims flydubai co-pilot was 'radicalised' as UAE probes terror link
DUBAI: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday the co-pilot behind an attack on a flight to Israel had undergone “radical indoctrination” as the United Arab Emirates said it was probing a possible terror link.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Thursday that the co-pilot of a flydubai flight, which narrowly avoided a crash in Saudi Arabia, had been radicalized. The incident occurred on Wednesday when passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot, who had allegedly stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane. The UAE has launched an investigation into the possibility of terrorist activity or intent.
Netanyahu called the attempted attack an "attempted terrorist attack" and stated that Israel would join the investigation. The Indian national co-pilot, Smit Machchhar, is believed to have been transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE for questioning. Israeli officials estimate that 166 of the 174 passengers on board were Israeli. The airline, flydubai, has suspended flights to Israel while the investigation continues.
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