The authorities concerned with the investigation into the incident of the Fly Dubai pilot’s stabbing of the identity of the co-pilot accused of carrying out the attack, who allegedly tried to crash the plane that was carrying more than 174 people, most of them Israelis, are keeping quiet. What do we know so far about the accused of carrying out a “serious terrorist act”?

Published on: 02/10/2026 - 19:41

The identity of the co-pilot who stabbed the captain of the Flydubai plane that was heading from the Emirates to Tel Aviv has not yet been revealed, in a “dangerous terrorist act,” according to the words of Anwar Gargash, advisor to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported that the accused, who allegedly tried to crash the plane, is an Omani citizen.

The accused “underwent a process of extremist Islamic ideological indoctrination.”

Other official sources did not confirm this information, while Netanyahu said that the accused “underwent a process of extremist Islamic ideological indoctrination,” and that he clearly had a suicidal tendency. The Prime Minister told the American "Fox News" network, on Thursday, that "the attacker shouted to the crew members, 'Kill me, kill me.'" He added that the motive has not yet been determined and that Israel is investigating whether the co-pilot acted under the direction of anyone.

US President Donald Trump, for his part, hinted on Thursday that Iran was responsible for the incident. He said that the Iranians "will receive a very strong blow," in response to a journalist's question about whether Washington would respond if Tehran's responsibility was proven. He continued, "I say the answer is yes, based on what I hear."

Read also: “I realized that the plane was going to crash.” The pilot of the “Fly Dubai” flight tells the details of what happened inside the cockpit

For its part, the Omani authorities did not comment on the incident. Israel does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Oman. Netanyahu pointed out that pilots from such countries are not allowed to participate in operating flights to Israel. It was not clear how the co-pilot was assigned to the flight from the Emirates to Tel Aviv, in which the vast majority of passengers were Israelis.

Interrogation by Israeli investigators

The Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot after the plane made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in the northwest of the Kingdom. Riyadh announced on Thursday that the accused would be transferred to the Emirates the same morning to complete his interrogation.

Read also: The “Fly Dubai” incident is at the forefront of regional tension, and Trump threatens Iran if its involvement is proven

The co-pilot is scheduled to be interrogated by Israeli investigators, along with the Emirati authorities, according to an Israeli government official who declined to specify the Israeli party or authority that will participate in the interrogation.

Anwar Gargash, advisor to the Emirati president, on Friday described the Flydubai plane incident as a “dangerous terrorist act,” while the pilot of the plane, who was attacked by his assistant, confirmed that he had done his best to save the passengers.

France 24/Reuters/AFP

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