Oman has reportedly joined the investigation into the flydubai flight incident which saw a co-pilot, an Omani national, attack the Captain in an alleged bid to crash the aircraft carrying hundreds of Israeli citizens.
This is despite Muscat maintaining a cautious silence and not even confirming the citizenship of the co-pilot. But according to information provided by Israel, he is Omani, and Muscat is participating in the international investigation into the affair, Hebrew media reported.
The Omani co-pilot, whose identity is not yet revealed, has been transferred to the UAE, Saudi Arabia said on Thursday, adding that its initial investigation had indicated that the co-pilot had assaulted the captain during Wednesday's flight, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in the Saudi city of Tabuk.
In its first comment, the Interior Ministry said Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain who saved the aircraft, and the co-pilot, both treated in hospital for injuries, left for Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning after receiving medical clearance. Saudi Arabia said it had conducted the preliminary investigation with security teams from the United Arab Emirates.
However, a report that appeared in the Wall Street Journal claimed the Saudi investigation has not been able to determine what the motive was. The investigation will continue in the United Arab Emirates, and Israel may also be involved.
Israeli experts believe Oman is treading strategically because the motive is not yet clear. If it comes to light that the man acted alone, then Muscat will be able to condemn the act, assist in the investigation, and try to close the case. If the answer is negative, a completely different story begins. Then the investigation will move on to who recruited, trained or financed him. Any traces of Iranian involvement behind the pilot could affect Muscat’s relations with Israel.
