Axe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot was flagged over extremism concerns

CAIRO (AP) — The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain onboard an Israel-bound flight with an axe and trying to seize control of the aircraft was an Omani national who has been barred from flying on his country’s airline because of concerns about extremist views, officials disclosed on Saturday.

The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, according to three people with knowledge of the situation, including a Gulf and Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The United Arab Emirates, which is leading the investigation, said the co-pilot attacked the captain with the cockpit’s crash axe and tried to take control of the sharply plummeting plane in a “terrorist attack” on Wednesday.