Striking confession in the Flydubai incident: The co-pilot planned the incident inspired by September 11

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Chief Public Prosecutor Hamad Seyf al-Shamisi stated that in the investigation into the attack on the Flydubai plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the co-pilot admitted that he planned the action inspired by the September 11 attacks and acted alone.

According to the UAE official agency WAM, Shamisi shared the details of the investigation into the incident that took place on Flydubai's flight FZ1073, which took off from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.

Shamisi stated that the Omani co-pilot attempted to carry out a suicide attack against the passenger terminal of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv by taking control of the plane within the scope of a "terrorist plan" that he stated that he had prepared in advance.

Arguing that the defendant aimed to cause as much loss of life as possible, Shamisi said that the views adopted by the 29-year-old co-pilot and his professional history were examined.

Shamisi noted that the investigation determined that the first signs of the defendant's tendency towards extremism and terrorism appeared during his education in Australia in 2017.

Stating that the defendant was influenced by takfiri thoughts by reading extremist publications and following internet content glorifying terrorist organizations and suicide attacks, Shamisi stated that it was understood that over time he adopted ideas that encouraged violence and terrorism.

Shamisi stated that according to the defendant's confessions, he was inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks in the USA and developed the idea of ​​​​carrying out a similar action by using a plane, and it was determined that his choice of piloting as a profession was related to this idea.

Shamisi stated that the defendant worked at Oman Airlines between 2020 and 2024, and joined Royal Moroccan Airlines at the beginning of 2025, where he worked for a few months, and transferred to Flydubai in January 2026.

The investigation included that the defendant made reconnaissance about the route and airport on the two Tel Aviv flights he had previously attended, and attempted to put his plan into practice on his third flight on September 30.

Stating that the defendant's recruitment process at Flydubai was also examined, Şamisi noted that it was determined that he met the professional and security conditions, including flight license, good conduct certificate and necessary checks.

Shamisi stated that during these proceedings, no signs were found that revealed the defendant's extremist thoughts or intention to attack.

Stating that the defendant gave a detailed statement in the presence of his lawyer, Shamisi noted that he explained the reasons, planning and implementation stages of the attack.

Chief Public Prosecutor Shamisi emphasized that the defendant admitted that he acted alone, but that the investigation is ongoing to confirm the accuracy of this statement.

Stating that the prosecutor's office took the statements of the captain pilot, the captain and co-pilot of the return flight, as well as the crew, Şamisi said that in the forensic medicine report, it was determined that the captain pilot's injuries were concentrated in the head area, which could be life-threatening.

Stating that it was determined that the wounds occurred during the incident and were caused by an attack in which a tool compatible with an emergency ax was used, Şamisi stated that the findings supported the statements of the defendant and the captain pilot and the witness statements.

Shamisi noted that the prosecutor's office continues to examine the evidence, investigate possible accomplices or other connections, and complete records and technical reports, and that new findings will be announced within the framework required by the investigation.