Turkey detains suspected killer of downed Russian pilot

Turkish media reported on 31 March 2016 the country's authorities had detained a man suspected of killing a Russian pilot after his plane was shot down by a Turkish jet near the Syrian-Turkish border in November 2015.

Russian defence officials said at the time that the pilot had managed to eject from his stricken plane only to be killed by ground fire from militants inside Syria. His navigator survived, but a Russian marine was killed during the rescue mission.

The incident harmed relations between Russia and NATO member Turkey. Moscow responded with anger, calling the episode a planned provocation and imposing a range of economic sanctions in retaliation.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Turkey-Russia jet downing: Moscow announces sanctions http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-russia-jet-downing-moscow-announces-sanctions/

Sputnik International, 31.03.16: Alleged Killer of Russian Su-24 Pilot Detained in Turkey http://sptnkne.ws/aW8x

Hürriyet Daily News, 31.03.16: Alleged killer of Russian jet pilot detained in İzmir http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/alleged-killer-of-russian-jet-pilot-detained-in-izmir.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97161&NewsCatID=509

Sputnik International: Tag: Russian Su-24 Jet Downed Over Syria http://sputniknews.com/trend/russia_syria_su24_downed_2015/

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