Two Maldivians arrested in connection with an investigation into an alleged plot to down a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv have been deprived of their fundamental rights for 12 days.
It is understood that the two individuals detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the most recent recruits among six Maldivian pilots currently employed by Flydubai.
The pair was taken into custody on October 3 for what authorities described as an ongoing investigation. However, Adhadhu has learned that they have been denied access to legal counsel to date. Furthermore, sources confirm that the detainees have not been permitted to contact their families.
The Maldivian Embassy in the UAE notified the families of the arrests on October 8. Prior to this, the UAE authorities had not disclosed any information regarding their whereabouts or status, even to the Maldivian Embassy. Embassy officials have also been denied consular access to the detainees.
Providing detainees with access to legal representation is a requirement under the United Nations' Mandela Rules. The right to legal counsel is also enshrined in the Convention against Torture, a treaty to which the UAE is a signatory.
Additionally, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations mandates that when a foreign national is arrested, their home country must be notified without delay, and the individual must be granted the right to meet with officials from their country. The UAE is also a party to this convention.
The Maldivian government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the detention of the two citizens. UAE authorities have also remained silent on the matter, with no reports appearing in local Emirati media. However, a government spokesperson has confirmed that the two Maldivians are in custody.
The investigation stems from an incident aboard flight FZ1073, which was carrying 182 passengers to Israel. The co-pilot allegedly attempted to bring down the aircraft by attacking the captain with an emergency axe located in the cockpit.
The assault caused the aircraft to lose control, plunging approximately 17,000 feet (5,180 meters) in a short duration. However, as the plane descended, the Indian captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and subdue the attacker. Two other pilots on board successfully regained control of the aircraft and landed it safely.
