UAE: Our judicial authorities are competent to investigate the “Flydubai” incident, and the provisions of the country’s law apply to them

The UAE confirmed, in a statement by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, that the judicial authorities in the country are competent to investigate the incident that occurred on Flydubai flight No. (FZ1073), heading from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv, given that the plane is registered in the country and carries its flag. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its statement that it is following up on the incident that occurred on Flydubai flight No. (FZ1073), heading from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv, which was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, in a statement, that “His Excellency Counselor Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi, Attorney General of the Federation, ordered the formation of a team of specialized members of the Public Prosecution to investigate the incident, to determine its circumstances and causes,” in light of what Flydubai announced regarding “an altercation occurring inside the cockpit during the flight, which required the intervention of members of the company’s crew on board the plane to secure it,” according to what was reported by the official Emirates News Agency, WAM, on Thursday. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in its statement that “the judicial authorities in the UAE are competent to investigate the incident in accordance with the applicable legislation, given that the plane is registered in the country and carries its flag, which results in the application of the provisions of UAE law to crimes committed on board even if they occur outside the country’s territory,” according to WAM.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that “investigations include verifying the various circumstances of the incident and its motives, and the extent of any connection to a terrorist activity or purpose, or the existence of prior planning or direction for it,” according to WAM. The UAE also expressed its "thanks and appreciation to the Saudi authorities, appreciating their cooperation and handling of the incident."

The UAE Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of relying on information and data issued by official sources, and avoiding circulating speculation or unreliable information, until investigations are completed and their results are announced. Earlier Thursday, the UAE Attorney General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, ordered the formation of an investigation team of specialized public prosecutors to investigate the incident that occurred on the Flydubai flight that was heading to Tel Aviv from Dubai International Airport and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, and to verify the extent of its connection to “terrorist activity or purpose,” according to what was reported by WAM, Thursday.

The team began its work in coordination with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the relevant authorities in the Emirates, according to WAM. He directed the UAE Attorney General to "take the necessary measures to collect information and evidence and determine the truth of the incident, its circumstances, circumstances and motives, and to verify the extent of its connection to any terrorist activity or purpose or the existence of prior planning or direction for it," according to WAM.