Omani co-pilot of Flydubai flight to be handed to UAE after preliminary probe in Saudi ArabiaThe Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight and attempting to take control of the aircraft has been handed over by Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates. The investigators are examining whether the incident was a deliberate attempt to bring down the Israel-bound plane.

Saudi authorities had been conducting the preliminary probe after the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk. Investigators examine possible motivesThe UAE has now taken over the investigation, with Israeli authorities also involved.

The Emirati government said its team was examining the attack and “whether it was linked to any terrorist purpose”. The UAE has jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered there and its laws apply to crimes committed on board.

A regional official said several possibilities remained under investigation, including terrorism and mental disorders. “All possible scenarios, from terrorism to mental disorders, are being looked into.

Nothing is ruled out for now,” the official said. The co-pilot has not been publicly identified.

Israeli officials are also taking part in the investigation, while Israel has requested that he be sent there for questioning, although it remains unclear whether that request will be granted. “The attacker, the co-pilot who attacked the captain, is now being interrogated.

What we know so far is that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination,” Netanyahu told Fox News. “They had to use earphone cords to tie his hands and then used plastic cuffs.

He is lying on the floor and he calls out to the crew 'kill me, kill me'. So, it is clear that he was suicidal and was going to down the plane,” he said.

An Israeli official separately told The Times of Israel that social media material attributed to the co-pilot included posts about killing Jewish people. “Our understanding is he’s going to be transferred to the UAE,” the official said.

“We will be part of that investigation.” US raises possible Iran linkUS President Donald Trump also raised the possibility of an Iranian connection, although he did not provide evidence and said the investigation was still under way.

”“I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes, but we’re working on it right now,” he said. Trump did not elaborate on the basis for the possible link.