Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the Flydubai co-pilot accused of attempting to crash a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight had been subjected to radical Islamist indoctrination.
According to the report, Indian pilot Smith Machar acted decisively mid-air and helped prevent a disaster, saving many lives. The co-pilot, an Omani national, allegedly stabbed the pilot with a knife, and is now being questioned.
Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said the co-pilot is under investigation and intelligence officials expect to determine within days whether there was any link to Iran. He added that authorities would also examine the suspect’s background and whether anyone aided the attempt.
After Israel described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack, the United Arab Emirates has also begun investigating the case from that angle.
