The Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates stated that the co-pilot of the Flydubai flight intended to carry out a ground attack "assassination". This is the first time UAE authorities have described this incident as an "assassination".

The Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates stated that the co-pilot of the Flydubai flight intended to carry out a ground attack "assassination". This is the first time UAE authorities have described this incident as an "assassination".

According to the official UAE news agency, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated that the co-pilot carried out a ground attack on the pilot using an emergency axe (a Yemeni axe) and attempted to take control of the plane.

A Yemeni axe is kept in the cockpit for emergencies, such as an airplane crash.

He added that the investigation is ongoing to determine the details of the incident, the motive and possible connections, and to examine the evidence.

Reuters news agency, citing an informed source, identified this co-pilot as "Homam Al-Hamami", an Omani citizen.

UAE authorities have not yet responded to a request for official confirmation of his identity.

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