Ammon News - The United Arab Emirates’ Attorney General Counselor Hamad Saif al-Shamsi on Thursday ordered the formation of a team to investigate the events on flydubai flight FZ1073 a day earlier, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

“The Attorney-General directed that all necessary measures be taken to gather information and evidence, establish the facts and determine the circumstances and motives surrounding the incident, as well as verify whether it was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose or involved prior planning or direction,” the report said.

Furthermore, it reported that al-Shamsi appealed to the public “to refrain from speculation or circulating unverified information until the competent authorities complete their efforts to gather and verify the facts,” avoid any conclusions before the completion of the investigation and to rely on official information.

Flydubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv was rerouted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, as passengers and crew reportedly foiled the co-pilot’s attempt to crash the aircraft in a struggle that began when he stabbed the pilot.

The passengers have safely returned to Tel Aviv and the pilot is currently receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai has temporarily suspended all flights from and to Tel Aviv pending an investigation.

The report stressed that despite the events occurring in midair over non-Emirati airspace, the UAE has full legal authority over the matter.

“UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction to investigate the incident under the legislation in force, as the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies the UAE flag. Accordingly, UAE law applies to crimes committed on board the aircraft, even if they occur outside the country’s territory,” WAM said.