Фото: unsplash.com
The pilot of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv admitted that he had planned to carry out an attack at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on September 30 and had acted alone. He gave a detailed statement and explained his motives, UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said, WAM reports.
The investigation established that the 29-year-old Omani national, who was the flight’s first officer, first showed signs of extremism in 2017 while studying in Melbourne, Australia. He came under the influence of takfiri ideology, read extremist literature and searched online for information about suicide bombings. At a mosque at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, he met people linked to the organisation My Centre, which allegedly received funding from a group associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
According to the suspect, he decided to replicate the September 11, 2001, attacks.
The man had worked for several airlines, including Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, before joining flydubai in January 2026. His extremist views were not detected during the recruitment process at flydubai, and all security checks indicated that he met the required standards.
Before September 30, the suspect had made two flights to Tel Aviv, using them to familiarise himself with the route and prepare for the attack.
During the September 30 flight, the suspect attacked the captain with an emergency axe. The captain resisted and attempted to open the cockpit door. The pilot assigned to the return flight happened to be nearby and noticed the door opening and closing. He entered the cockpit using the access code.
The return-flight pilot, a cabin crew member and passengers subdued the attacker and assisted the captain. The return-flight pilot and his colleague took control of the aircraft and landed it at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
In the presence of a lawyer, the suspect admitted that he had acted alone. Investigators are verifying this information.
The prosecution also heard testimony from the captain, the return-flight pilot, his colleague and cabin crew members.
The UAE Public Prosecution continues to examine the evidence and investigate whether other individuals were involved or whether there were other connections. It is also completing its analysis of audio and video recordings and technical expert reports.