UAE Decides Death Penalty for flydubai Co-Pilot: Israeli Media
According to Israeli media, the co-pilot, identified as Hammam Al-Hammami, is accused of attempting to bring down the flydubai aircraft after attacking the other pilot during the flight.
The United Arab Emirates has decided to seek the death penalty for a flydubai co-pilot over an alleged attempt to crash an Israel-bound passenger aircraft, Israeli media reported.
According to Israeli media, the co-pilot, identified as Hammam Al-Hammami, is accused of attempting to bring down the flydubai aircraft after attacking the other pilot during the flight.
Israeli news website Ynet, citing a senior Emirati source, reported that Abu Dhabi is expected to seek the “harshest possible punishment” against Al-Hammami over allegations that he attempted to kill everyone on board the aircraft.
Israeli intelligence officials have also arrived in the UAE to participate in the investigation into the incident, according to the report.
The development follows an incident aboard the Dubai-to-Israel flight in which one pilot allegedly attacked and injured the other with a knife before attempting to seize control of the aircraft and bring it down.
The aircraft was carrying 174 passengers, including 169 Israelis.
The situation was brought under control after passengers intervened and restrained the co-pilot. Other off-duty airline pilots travelling aboard the aircraft subsequently took control of the plane and landed it safely in Saudi Arabia.
The co-pilot was subsequently taken into custody by Saudi authorities.
