The Attorney-General of the UAE, Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, has said that investigations into the incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 reveals that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act.

While announcing that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances, Al Shamsi said the co-pilot began executing his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the flight deck using a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft.

The co-pilot from Oman, who was hired by Flydubai, was barred from flying by his native Oman over concerns he had adopted extremist views, reliable sources say. The attack has now raised questions on aviation security in the Middle East already affected by the US-Iran war.

Al Shamsi said more information on the motives, and any links related to the incident, besides complete technical examinations and analysis of physical and digital evidence, will be revealed after the completion of all necessary procedures.

The UAE had canceled all flights to Israel after the incident. But later, Israel and the UAE agreed on repatriation flights to bring back passengers stranded in the UAE. – editor@nrifocus.com