Russia lifts restrictions on flights to Turkey

By Emre Gurkan Abay

MOSCOW

Russia has lifted restrictions on flights to Turkey, the country's civil aviation authority announced Thursday.

In a statement issued by Rosaviation, the agency said the restrictions implemented following the July 15 coup attempt were lifted after Turkish officials assured their Russian counterparts that additional security measures were taken.

At least 246 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred in Istanbul and Ankara, and more than 1,500 others were wounded as they protested the attempted coup.

Turkey's government said the coup attempt was organized by followers of U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through infiltrating Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming the so-called “parallel state.”

*Hale Turkes contributed to this report from Ankara.