The pilot of Turkish F-16 fighter jet that shot down a Russian Su-24 combat plane over Syria in November last year made the decision on his own, the deputy chair of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Yasin Aktay told on Thursday, Sputnik reports.
"The decision to shoot down the plane was taken in the air. Such decision are made by a pilot and he abides by the rules of engagement. Although, he can avoid downing a plane that has violated the airspace for a short span and leaving it," he said.
"The downing of a Russian plane that was clearly abandoning the Turkish airspace raises questions," Aktay added.
