Two Maldivian pilots who were arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on suspicion of attempting to hijack a flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel and carry out a terrorist attack have returned to the Maldives, and police say they will question the pair to clarify information.
About two and a half hours into the flight, which was carrying more than 170 passengers, the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe. Although the aircraft dropped 17,000 feet following the attack, passengers subdued the co-pilot and regained control of the plane. The two other pilots on board then landed the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia. The Indian captain injured in the incident, Smit Machchhar, was treated in hospital and has since been taken to Abu Dhabi.
The pilots' families had raised concerns over their arrest. Police spokesperson Ahmed Shiyam confirmed to local outlet Sun that the two pilots arrived in the Maldives on Friday afternoon.
Police said work to question the two men and clarify information will continue, and that any further action taken will be announced.
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