Israeli media has claimed that the United Arab Emirates has decided to impose the death penalty on Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami over an alleged attempt to crash a flight bound for Israel.
Israeli news website Ynet, citing a senior Emirati source, reported that the co-pilot would potentially face the harshest punishment over allegations that he attempted to kill everyone aboard the aircraft.
Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence personnel have arrived in the UAE to participate in the investigation.
The incident occurred recently aboard an Emirati flight travelling from Dubai to Israel, when one pilot attacked and injured the other with a knife. An attempt was made to seize control of the aircraft and crash it.
The aircraft was carrying 174 passengers, including 169 Israelis. The pilot who carried out the attack is in the custody of Saudi authorities.
Passengers intervened in time and restrained the co-pilot, bringing the situation under control.
Other off-duty pilots from the airline who were travelling aboard the flight subsequently took control of the aircraft and landed it safely in Saudi Arabia.
