MOSCOW. Oct 19 Interfax) - Russia will press for a thorough investigation into the rude treatment of Russian passengers aboard the Syrian airliner that was forced by Turkey to land in Ankara on October 11.
"Passengers seating next to Russians witnessed that Turkish law enforcement officers behaved rudely towards them, and were even physically violent towards the crew," the Russian Foreign Ministry's official spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday.
"In this situation, we will press for the most thorough investigation into all details of the incidents, and for official explanations from the Turkish authorities," he told reporters.
The Russian ambassador to Turkey has already twice met with Turkish Foreign Ministry officials, seeking explanations.
"During the meetings, the Turkish side expressed regret over the Russian passengers being detained for so long aboard the plane and having no opportunity to meet with our diplomats. All that was explained by the emergency situation, the fact that information about the passengers was received too late, and subsequent flight preparations," Lukashevich said.