Netanyahu: Attacker on Flydubai flight FZ1073 had Islamist radical indoctrination

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said preliminary findings from investigations suggest the man who attacked and stabbed the copilot on the Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had been subject to "Islamist radical indoctrination."

The incident happened on flight FZ1073, which carried more than 170 people. Netanyahu said the attacker, whom he identified as an Omani national, "very likely" intended to bring the aircraft down.

Plane diverted and made emergency landing in Tabuk

The airplane departed Dubai International Airport at 7:00 a.m. local time bound for Ben Gurion Airport. About two hours after takeoff the aircraft sharply lost roughly 5,200 metres of altitude, and shortly afterwards a distress signal was sent.

According to the accounts, the attacker stabbed the copilot and attempted to seize control of the cockpit. Passengers and crew overpowered him, restrained and tied him, after which control of the aircraft was restored and the crew began an emergency descent that ended with a safe landing at Tabuk airport in north‑west Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu said that after the man was subdued he shouted to the crew: "Kill me, kill me." The prime minister described that behaviour as indicating a suicidal intent.

An Israeli security source told investigators that preliminary findings point to an intent to bring down the plane. The Mossad is leading the inquiry and has been interviewing passengers after their arrival in Tel Aviv to reconstruct events onboard. When asked whether Iran may have been involved, Netanyahu said: "It's too early to say."

Photo: press material from the event