By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – According to UAE authorities on Tuesday two Maldivian pilots were detained in the United Arab Emirates on October 3, after an Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian pilot Smit Machchhar aboard a flydubai flight, as the investigation into the incident widened.
The authorities are investigating the alleged Fly Dubai attack, the accused Omani co-pilot’s recruitment despite a reported licensing restriction, and possible links with other individuals or groups.
According to media reports, cited Maldivian news portal Adhadhu, the two pilots were detained as authorities investigated their suspected links to the accused co-pilot, Omani national Hammam al-Hammami.
Their identities have not been made public. \
Their families have reportedly been informed by the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE. Authorities have not officially confirmed the detentions.
According to Maldivian newspaper Mihaaru, the two pilots are believed to have interacted with al-Hammami at work and lived in the same building as him.
The authorities have not disclosed the nature of their alleged links to the accused or the evidence, if any, against them.
Two are reportedly among 6 Maldivian nationals employed as pilots by flydubai.
They are also said to be among the airline’s most recent recruits from the Maldives.
The incident took place aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers and crew members from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The alleged suspect al-Hammami, 29, allegedly attacked the flight’s pilot, Indian national Smit Machchhar, with an axe and stabbed him in an attempt to take control of the aircraft.
The UAE has described the incident as a suspected terrorist attack.
Machchhar resisted the attack and managed to unlock the cockpit door despite suffering serious injuries.
Other crew members and passengers then entered the cockpit, overpowered the co-pilot and helped stabilize the situation.
The aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
UAE authorities have said al-Hammami was suspected of supporting extremist ideologies.
Omani authorities had reportedly barred him from obtaining a pilot’s licence.
The investigators are examining how he was recruited by flydubai despite the reported restriction.
They are also looking into the motive behind the alleged attack and whether anyone else was involved.
The UAE Attorney General has said a comprehensive investigation is underway in coordination with regional security agencies.
The probe aims to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine whether al-Hammami had links with other individuals or groups.
