Investigation launched into Syria’s downing of Turkish plane

MALATYA - Anatolia News Agency

DHA photo

The Malatya Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the downing of a Turkish military plane in June 2012 after a lawyer for the family of one of the pilots killed filed a criminal complaint Dec. 31.

Cpt. Gökhan Ertan and Lt. Hasan Hüseyin Aksoy – whose family requested the action – were killed when their plane was shot down by Syria on June 22, 2012.

The prosecutor's office has reportedly requested documents and autopsy reports for the two pilots from the relevant institutions in order to investigate whether there was any negligence in the incident or whether the men were deliberately sent on a dangerous mission.

The prosecutor's office will also reportedly ask for permission from the Prime Ministry in order to launch a probe about National Intelligence Organization (MİT) chief Hakan Fidan.

Ertan and Aksoy’s RF-4 jet was downed by Syria in the Mediterranean Sea, although Ankara and Damascus have disagreed over the circumstances surrounding the incident.