Flydubai hijacker, wounded pilot accompanied by Emirati security team to UAE, Saudi Arabia says

Both were cleared to fly by medical professionals after being hospitalized once the aircraft landed in Tubuk.

The Omani flydubai hijacker and the wounded pilot, Capt. Smit Machchhar, have been transferred to the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi Interior Ministry said in a Thursday statement. 

Both individuals were accompanied by an Emirati security team after being cleared to fly by medical professionals after being hospitalized once the aircraft landed in Tubuk, according to a Saudi Interior Ministry official.

The official continued, stating that Saudi Arabia “handles emergency situations in accordance with its international and humanitarian obligations, as well as the regulations and procedures adopted by the relevant authorities, to ensure the safety and security of air navigation and the readiness of the Kingdom’s aviation and security system.”

On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker was being investigated in Saudi Arabia, where the plane landed at Tabuk airport, and that he believed he would be taken to the United Arab Emirates.

"We'll be following and possibly also participating in this investigation," Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

Co-pilot likely acting alone, per Israeli assessment

Asked if there was any indication of Iranian involvement, Netanyahu said it was too early to say. "We'll get to the root of this attacker, whether he had accomplices, whether Iran was behind it. I think we'll find out very soon," Netanyahu said.

Two Israeli security officials said Israel's initial assessment is that the co-pilot was likely acting alone, though the investigation was still ongoing.

The UAE has also started investigations that are seeking to establish the circumstances and motives and determine "whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose, or involved prior planning or direction," the UAE state news agency reported on Thursday.

UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the incident because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag, the statement said, adding that UAE law applies to crimes committed on board even if they occur outside the country's territory.