Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that an Omani first officer accused of attacking the pilot of a flydubai flight may have been influenced by extremist ideology. Netanyahu’s comments come as investigations continue into an incident where the copilot allegedly attempted to bring down the aircraft.
According to Netanyahu, passengers who restrained the copilot reported that he repeatedly shouted for someone to kill him after the attack was subdued. An Israeli official added that the suspect’s social media activities contained statements about killing Jews, raising concerns about potential radical influences.
The ongoing investigation is examining whether the suspect has any connections to Iran, though Netanyahu noted that it is too early to draw definitive conclusions in this regard. Both US and Israeli officials are involved in probing possible links as part of their broader examination of the case.
Following the incident, the flydubai aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where both the captain and copilot received medical treatment before being transferred to the UAE. Emirati authorities have stated that they are investigating the copilot for alleged terrorist activities or intent.
Regional authorities are also conducting their own investigations to determine the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack. The situation remains under close scrutiny as officials work to piece together the events leading up to the alleged attack.