The families of two Maldivian pilots have been notified of their arrest in connection with an alleged plot to down a flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel.
The two male pilots, who are employees of Flydubai, were taken into police custody last Saturday. Adhadhu understands that their families received no information regarding their whereabouts until Tuesday.
However, sources have confirmed that the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE has now officially informed the families that the two pilots are being detained by UAE police.
It is understood that the two Maldivians are the most recent recruits among the six Maldivian pilots currently working for Flydubai. Reports indicate that the two Maldivians had interacted within the workplace with Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national accused of attempting to crash the aircraft on September 30.
Both the President’s Office Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson have declined to comment on the matter.
Hamam al-Hammami was serving as the co-pilot on the flight. With the intent to crash the plane, he reportedly attacked the pilot in command. However, the pilot, an Indian national, managed to fend off the assault and open the cockpit door. It is reported that an Israeli passenger then entered the cockpit and assisted in securing the aircraft.
