Flydubai co-pilot originally planned attack for July, investigators believe
Police and security agencies in multiple countries scramble to piece together background and intentions of Hamam al-Hammami
TL;DR
- Investigators believe the Flydubai co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, originally planned his attack for July but postponed it.
- Hammami allegedly attacked the pilot with an emergency crash axe approximately two hours and 20 minutes after takeoff on flydubai flight FZ1073.
- The co-pilot's background and intentions are being investigated by authorities in at least six countries, with probes into his time in Australia and New Zealand.
- Hammami had previously left Oman Air due to concerns about extremist views and did not obtain permission to fly for Royal Air Maroc.
- Online posts in Hammami's name praised al-Qaida leaders and contained religious imagery, alongside numerous misogynistic and homophobic slurs and threats.
- The attack occurred during a sensitive period for Israel, leading to political criticism regarding security lapses.