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MOSCOW. — Russia promised yesterday to take prompt measures to find and punish all people involved in the October 31 Russian plane crash over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, which was earlier confirmed by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) to have been caused by a terrorist attack. “We can definitely say that this is a terrorist act,” FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting held late Monday evening on the outcome of the plane crash investigation.
“According to our experts, a self-made explosive device equivalent up to 1kg of TNT was set off on board, which explains why the fragments of the aircraft were scattered over a large area,” an online transcript published by the Kremlin yesterday quoted Bortnikov as saying.
Bortnikov added that the investigation of aircraft debris, passengers’ personal belongings and baggage revealed traces of an explosive. Putin has ordered all Russian security services to find and punish the terrorists that were involved in the plane crash.
“We must be doing this without any limitations, to know each of the terrorists by name. We will be searching for them everywhere, no matter where they hide. We will find them in any place of the world and they will be punished,” Putin said. He added that Russia would also appeal to partners, namely people who share the moral and ethical values that underlie Russian policies of foreign affairs, security and anti-terrorism, to find and punish the terrorists.
Putin stressed that the military operations in Syria would not only continue, but also be strengthened “to let criminals realise that retribution is inevitable.” Meanwhile, Putin warned that “all those who are attempting to provide assistance to criminals” would suffer from the consequences of such a cover-up.
The FSB has offered a reward of $50 million for information about those responsible for the plane crash, which “will contribute to the detention of the criminals.” The Russia-bound Airbus A321 crashed on October 31 over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula shortly after taking off from the Sharm el-Sheikh resort, killing all 224 people aboard.
The extremist group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the crash as a revenge on Russia for its air-strikes conducted since Sept. 30 in Syria against the IS fighters and facilities. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Putin yesterday ordered law enforcement agencies to enhance domestic security.
Meanwhile, the Federal Air Transport Agency has asked Russian airlines to check information on aviation security levels at airports in Turkey, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and some European countries in case of potential terrorist threats. — Xinhua.
Online Reporter