Axe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns
CAIRO (AP) — The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain on an Israel-bound flight with an axe and trying to seize the controls was an Omani national who’d been barred from flying on his country’s airline because of concerns about extremist views, officials said Saturday.
CAIRO (AP) — An Omani national named Hamam al-Hammami, who faced extremism concerns, is accused of attacking the captain on a FlyDubai flight to Israel with an axe. The incident occurred on a flight carrying 182 passengers, including Israelis, and nearly resulted in a crash. The co-pilot was confronted by passengers and subdued, allowing the plane to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE-led investigation is probing how the extremist-co-pilot's presence on the flight went unnoticed and how Israel's security protocols applied. Israel is questioning whether the co-pilot underwent Islamist radicalization and if he was connected to extremist groups.
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Also reported by 4 other outlets
- UAE says FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe in “terrorist” act euronews.com
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 co-pilot attacked Indian captain with an axe, UAE probe finds indianexpress.com
- Flydubai co-pilot tried to carry out ‘terrorist act’, attacked captain with cockpit axe, UAE says malaymail.com
- flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Pilot With Cockpit's Crash Axe In 'Terrorist Attack': UAE ndtv.com
