‘Religious extremist’: What we know about Omani co-pilot who attacked flydubai captain

Israeli authorities are investigating the midair crisis on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv after a co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft.The incident is being probed as a possible attempted terrorist attack, while the alleged attacker, an Omani national, has been taken into custody by Saudi authorities. The motive remains unclear, but reports cited a fellow pilot who described the man as displaying what he considered unusually strict religious behaviour.Also read: The pilot from Mumbai who proved to be the heroThe reports have also raised questions over how the Omani national was cleared to operate a flight to Israel, given that Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.‘Prayed excessively, refused handshakes’According to the Times of Israel, a fellow pilot told Israel’s Channel 16 that the alleged attacker had joined Flydubai about eight months ago.“He prayed excessively throughout the day and…