Omani Flydubai Co-Pilot Transferred to UAE for Investigation as Hero Captain’s Fundraisers Near $80,000
By The Media Line Staff
The Omani co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain of a Flydubai flight and apparently attempting to crash the Israel-bound plane on Wednesday has been transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE for questioning as Emirati, Saudi and Israeli investigators examine
the incident.
The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, will be questioned as authorities examine his background, communications and contacts before he boarded the aircraft. Investigators are seeking to determine whether he acted as a “lone attacker” motivated by
extremist ideology or was directed by outside actors.
Israeli officials are treating the incident as a suspected terror attack, although an independent investigation has not established a motive.
Oman and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations, and an Israeli official told CNN that the Omani national should not have been permitted to fly an Israel-bound aircraft.
A second Israeli security official told CNN that Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency is supposed to vet airline personnel flying into Israel from the UAE under a security understanding connected to aviation agreements between the two countries. It remains
unclear whether the Shin Bet failed to vet the suspect or screened and approved him.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the man “underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.” Netanyahu told CBS News on Wednesday that the incident looked “like a suicide attempt,” citing witness accounts that the co-pilot tried to jam the aircraft’s equipment
rather than stabilize it. Netanyahu told Fox News on Thursday that the suspect shouted for someone to kill him after passengers subdued him.
US President Donald Trump suggested the suspect may be linked to Iran but provided no details.
Meanwhile, fundraising campaigns for the severely wounded captain, Indian national Capt. Smit Machchhar, have collected nearly $80,000.
A GoFundMe organized by Jewish Breaking News raised more than $73,000 toward a $130,000 goal, while a separate campaign organized by Tal Dooreck raised more than $6,000.
“You risked your life to protect ours. We will not forget you,” the Jewish Breaking News campaign stated.
Machchhar is reported to be in stable condition at a Saudi Arabian hospital. Organizers said the money will help him and his family, and transfer arrangements are still being finalized.
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