Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai are reportedly in UAE custody as authorities investigate the September 30 cockpit attack on a flight to Tel Aviv. There is credible reporting behind the claim, but considerably less information about why they are being held…and nothing publicly establishing that they helped plan the attack.
According to Maldivian news outlet Adhadhu, two flydubai pilots from the Maldives were taken into police custody on October 3. Its October 8 report says the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE subsequently informed their families of the detention.
The outlet describes the men as the airline’s most recent recruits among six Maldivian pilots working for flydubai. It says they had interacted with Hamam Al-Hammami, the Omani first officer who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar aboard flight FZ1073.
Their names and any charges against them have not been publicly disclosed.
In an earlier October 3 report, Adhadhu quoted Maldivian government spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef confirming that two Maldivian flydubai employees had been summoned for questioning. At that point, the outlet said neither had been arrested. Its later report described police custody, while government spokespeople declined to comment. Thus, the headlines circulating now concern developments reported several days ago and I have to wonder whether it was “detention” sort of like I was detained in Iran (some people quibbled with my description).
Did The Attacker Act Alone?
As I previously covered, the September 30 flight from Dubai (DXB) to Tel Aviv (TLV) diverted to Saudi Arabia after a violent cockpit attack. The captain, passengers, crew, and other pilots onboard helped prevent a catastrophe.
The UAE’s October 9 investigative update said the first officer intended to crash the aircraft into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. It also said:
“He admitted that he had acted alone, without the involvement of others, although investigations are continuing to verify this claim.”
The attacker saying he acted alone is not the same as investigators establishing that he did. Authorities are right to examine his contacts and whether anyone helped him or even encouraged him.
But the reverse is also true. Two colleagues being detained does not establish that this was a conspiracy involving multiple pilots. Working with someone or even hanging out with him at mosque or another social event does not make you his accomplice.
I want answers here, particularly after the disturbing questions about how the attacker reached that cockpit. But to be very clear: I am not labeling two more pilots as terrorists simply because investigators are examining their connections.
If they helped him, authorities should establish that and prosecute them. If they did not, their careers and reputations should not become “guilt by association” collateral damage.
CONCLUSION
You may have seen headlines this morning about two Maldivian flydubai pilots being arrested, which appears accurate and backed by earlier government confirmation that two employees were questioned. Their reported detention warrants attention, but their role, if any, remains unclear.
The UAE needs to investigate beyond the attacker’s own account. It also needs to explain its findings carefully. Passengers deserve to know whether he had help…and the men being investigated deserve to be judged on evidence.
image: Flydubai
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