Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe in suicide plot, UAE prosecutors say
UAE prosecutors say a Flydubai co-pilot who tried to seize a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight planned a suicide attack on the passenger terminal at Israel's Ben Gurion airport.
Prosecutors in the United Arab Emirates said on Friday that a Flydubai co-pilot who tried to take control of a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight last week planned a suicide attack on the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, according to The Guardian.
The Guardian names the co-pilot as Hammam al-Hammami. It reports that he attacked the plane's Indian pilot with an emergency axe. The pilot was badly injured but still opened the cockpit security door, and passengers overpowered the co-pilot, The Guardian says.
Al Jazeera reports the UAE attorney general said the suspect admitted he acted alone and prepared psychologically and physically for the attack. Deutsche Welle, citing a UAE official, says he is Omani. France 24 reports the prosecutor said the plan was inspired by the September 11 attacks.
The Guardian says al-Hammami is "believed" to have targeted the terminal.
Reported by
- France 24🔴 FlyDubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport, inspired by 9/11, UAE prosecutor saysFri, Oct 9, 1:09 PM EDT
- Deutsche WelleUAE: Omani Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attackFri, Oct 9, 2:23 PM EDT
- Al JazeeraFlydubai co-pilot plotted ‘suicide’ attack on Israel, UAE saysFri, Oct 9, 4:13 PM EDT
- The GuardianFlydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Israeli airport, UAE prosecutors sayFri, Oct 9, 4:38 PM EDT
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.
Earlier versions (2)
- Fri, Oct 9, 4:25 PM EDT, 3 outlets: UAE says Flydubai co-pilot admitted plotting suicide attack on Israel
- Fri, Oct 9, 2:30 PM EDT, 2 outlets: UAE says Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport