Turkish culture minister apologizes for incident with Syrian plane

Turkish Minister for Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay has apologized for any roughness towards Russian passengers at the Syrian plane landed in Turkey. Gunay attended the conference on the role of tourism in Turkish-Russian relations organized by the Turkish-Russian cultural center at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Interior Ministry, Moskovsky Komsomolets reports.

The minister explained that the plane was landed due to reports on weapons and dangerous materials on board.

The Syrian Airbus A-320 numbered SRY422 flying from Moscow to Damascus was landed at the Ankara Airport on October 10 by Turkish F-16s. The plane had 35 passengers, including 17 Russians.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry did not grant Russian diplomats permission to meet the Russian passengers in the plane. Russia accused Ankara of violating the bilateral convention on consulates.