Two Maldivians have been questioned in connection with an alleged plot to down a flydubai aircraft travelling from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Tel Aviv, Israel.
Adhadhu understands that Dubai Police questioned two Maldivian nationals employed by flydubai. However, it has been confirmed that neither individual has been placed under arrest thus far.
Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) confirmed to Adhadhu that two Maldivian employees of flydubai are being questioned as part of the investigation into the incident, which occurred last Wednesday.
"The information available at this moment is that the two individuals have been summoned for questioning," Shareef said.
The UAE authorities have not yet officially named any Maldivians as suspects in the attempted plot to down the aircraft. Furthermore, the UAE government has not formally engaged with the Maldivian government or the Maldives Police Service regarding the matter.
It is understood that the questioning of the two Maldivians is part of a broader investigation in which UAE police are interrogating a large number of flydubai staff. Sources indicate that authorities are questioning everyone who had contact with Hamam Al-Hammami, an Omani pilot allegedly involved in the plot.
A source informed Adhadhu that the two Maldivians had met Al-Hammami during a corporate event. However, this information has not yet been verified by a second source.
Hamam Al-Hammami was the co-pilot of flight FZ1073 carrying 174 passengers. The UAE prosecutor general said today that he “attempted to carry out a terrorist act” using a crash axe against the pilot inside the cockpit.
The Indian pilot Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit to seek help. The aircraft briefly plunged about 17,000 feet (5,180 metres) before it was brought back under control by a second pair of new pilots after passengers and crew subdued the attacker.
The flight was diverted and forced to make an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The co-pilot was arrested by Saudi authorities and handed over to the UAE, which is leading the probe.
