▲ Flydubai's Indian captain Smit Machar
The co-pilot who attacked the captain of a Flydubai passenger plane with a weapon and attempted to deliberately crash the aircraft has been transferred to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and is undergoing investigation over potential terrorism links, CNN reported on October 1 (local time).
According to the Saudi Ministry of Interior, Indian captain Smit Machar and the suspect, an Omani co-pilot, were transferred to Abu Dhabi after receiving initial medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, where the flight made an emergency landing.
UAE authorities stated that they are investigating whether the incident has any connection to terrorism.
The investigation is taking place in the UAE because, under international aviation law, jurisdiction over crimes committed on board an aircraft is primarily granted to the country where the aircraft is registered.
Flydubai is a sister company of Emirates, and its aircraft are registered in the UAE.
While a clear motive for the crime has not yet been confirmed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the possibility of terrorism, stating that the suspect was "brainwashed by Islamic extremist ideology."
U.S. President Donald Trump also raised the possibility of links to Iran.
A preliminary investigation conducted by Saudi authorities confirmed that the co-pilot assaulted the captain, leaving both parties injured, but specific details such as the exact tool used and whether there were any flaws in the background check process when the suspect became a co-pilot have not yet been revealed.
Although the exact identity of the co-pilot, known to be from Oman, has not been fully disclosed, testimonies from people around him have indicated that he frequently displayed extremist tendencies.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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