Turkey arrests alleged killer of Russian pilot

Turkish police have detained an alleged killer of a Russian pilot along with 13 other suspected militants in the western city of Izmir, Turkish media reported on Friday.

Alpaslan Celik reportedly came to Izmir with 13 others and was detained while dining in a restaurant in Izmir, Daily Sabah reported.

A Kalashnikov rifle, two handguns and ammunition were also seized in the operation, the daily said.

Press reports said the other detainees were suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Celik, a Turkish national who fought inside Syria, allegedly killed one pilot of a Russian warplane as he ejected from his plane after it was downed by Turkey in November last year.

"The detention of Alpaslan Celik is an important step and definitely a positive development for the amelioration of the two countries' relations," said Ismail Hakki Pekin, a retired general and former director of the intelligence department of the Turkish Joint Chief of Staff.

Ankara-Moscow ties were chilled over the downing incident, with Russia having slapped a series of sanctions against Turkey.

Russia has urged Turkey repeatedly to arrest Celik and other suspects, make a compensation and apology over the incident.

"The detention of Celik as a Turkish citizen and his trial by Turkish justice is very important to overcome the deadlock in the two countries' stalled relations," said Hasan Selim Ozertem, an expert on Russia at the International Strategic Research Organization.

"After all he committed a war crime," he said, adding that it will not be sufficient for a normalized relationship with Russia as Turkey has refused to apologize and compensate. Endit