Two Maldivian Pilots Reportedly Detained in Flydubai Terror Investigation
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai have reportedly been arrested as investigators examine possible connections to an alleged attempt to hijack and crash a passenger flight bound for Israel.
Maldivian news outlet Adhadhu reported that UAE police detained the men October 3. The Maldivian Embassy subsequently notified their families, according to the outlet. Their identities and any formal charges were not disclosed in the reporting reviewed.
The arrests followed the September 30 attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Authorities allege that the flight’s Omani co-pilot, identified in news reports as Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the captain with a cockpit emergency axe while attempting to seize control of the aircraft.
The injured captain, Smit Machchhar, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene. The attacker was restrained, and two reserve pilots aboard the aircraft subsequently landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
UAE prosecutors later said the co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft into the passenger terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. Authorities described the alleged plan as inspired by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Adhadhu reported that the two detained Maldivians had interacted with the accused co-pilot at work and were recent recruits among six Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai. Those reported workplace contacts do not establish participation in the alleged plot.
Maldivian government representatives declined to comment, while UAE authorities had not publicly detailed the evidence against the two men in the reports reviewed. Their alleged roles therefore remain unclear.
In an October 15 follow-up, Adhadhu reported that the detained pilots had not received access to legal counsel. That account raises additional questions about their detention as investigators continue examining whether others assisted the accused attacker. Neither man has been shown guilty by the reporting available.
Under our justice system, every person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The fact that the defendant has been charged with a criminal offense is not evidence of guilt.