Two Maldivian pilots employed by Flydubai have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates, according to the Maldivian news outlet Adhadhu, as investigators broaden their inquiry into an alleged terrorist plot to crash an Israel-bound passenger jet into Ben Gurion Airport.
The pilots were taken into custody on October 3, Adhadhu reported. Their families were notified of the detentions by the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE only after several days in which they had received no information about where the men were being held.
Authorities in the UAE have not publicly said what suspicions the two men face, and no charges have been announced against them.
What the reports say about the detained pilots
Adhadhu reported that the two men were among six Maldivian pilots working for Flydubai and that they were the airline’s most recent hires from the Maldives. Both had interacted professionally with Hammam al-Hammami, the 29-year-old Omani co-pilot accused of trying to seize control of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30, according to the outlet.
A separate report from the Standard Maldives said the detained pilots lived in the same residential building as al-Hammami.
It is not clear whether investigators believe the two men had advance knowledge of the alleged attack, helped prepare for it, or were detained primarily as part of a wider examination of al-Hammami’s personal and professional circle.
The alleged plot aboard Flight FZ1073
The detentions follow what investigators describe as an attempt by al-Hammami to take over the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv.
According to the attorney general, al-Hammami has admitted to planning a suicide attack aimed at causing the greatest possible loss of life. Investigators said he was influenced by extremist material starting in 2017, when he was studying in Australia, and that he drew inspiration from the September 11, 2001, attacks. The UAE has said he prepared by studying the route and the airport during two earlier flights to Israel.
The alleged attack took place aboard Flight FZ1073 as it flew from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. Al-Hammami is accused of attacking the Indian captain in the cockpit with an emergency axe and attempting to take control of the plane.
Despite his injuries, the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. Reserve pilots on board ultimately helped regain control of the aircraft, which landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. There were 174 people on the flight, most of them Israeli passengers.
An investigation that reaches beyond the UAE
The incident has triggered inquiries in several countries, including into al-Hammami’s background in Australia and New Zealand. UAE investigators have said his radicalization began while he was studying in Melbourne, where he reportedly encountered individuals associated with the Muslim Brotherhood at an Islamic center known as My Centre.
Investigators are now looking at whether anyone else knew about the alleged attack or helped prepare for it, even though al-Hammami has reportedly claimed he acted alone.
Neither the Maldivian government nor UAE authorities have publicly explained the precise basis for the two pilots’ reported detentions. The lack of an official explanation has left open the question of whether the arrests represent a significant expansion of the case — pointing to a possible network — or a precautionary move as investigators work through the co-pilot’s contacts.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/israels-near-9-11-may-not-have-been-a-solo-plot