MOSCOW, October 11 - RAPSI. Turkey has refused to allow Russian diplomats to meet with the passengers of a Syrian aircraft forced to land in Ankara, in violation of a bilateral consular convention.

Moscow has earnestly asked for an explanation from the Turkish authorities. Steps should be made to prevent such incidents in the future, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement.

"The Russian Embassy in Ankara requested access to the Russian citizens," he said. "The consulate employees and a doctor were sent to the airport. However, the Turkish authorities refused to let the diplomats meet with our citizens without reason."

On Wednesday night, Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets forced a Syrian Аirbus А320 flying from Moscow to Damask with 35 passengers to land in Ankara.

There were about 17 Russian nationals on board. The Turkish authorities searched the aircraft, seized some military equipment, and only then allowed the flight to continue.

Head of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the airplane was forcefully landed down because of the information that it was carrying illicit cargo.