JERUSALEM, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that the co-pilot involved in the Flydubai flight attack attempted to crash the aircraft, noting that Israel is investigating those possibly behind the incident.
“As time goes by, the picture becomes clearer,” Netanyahu said in a recorded video statement, alleging that the co-pilot underwent “radicalization” and “came to crash the plane with all passengers on board.”
“We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” Netanyahu said.
The incident occurred Wednesday on a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed the captain inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to plunge suddenly, before being overpowered by crew members and passengers.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) attorney-general on Thursday ordered a probe into the incident. The UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash on Friday described the attack as a “terrorist act.” ■