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Kaloyev convicted of air trf controller murder detained in Germany

Kaloyev intended to go to Switzerland to participate in the commemoration ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary since the plane crash over Boden Lake

BERLIN, June 30 (Itar-Tass) —— Vitaly Kaloyev, who lost his family in the July 1, 2002 plane crash and later found guilty of the murder of the air traffic controller blamed for the crash, was detained at Munich international airport on Saturday, an airport police source told Itar-Tass.

The source explained that the authorities were checking how the Schengen visa was granted to him. It will take a few hours, the source added.

According to the source, Kaloyev intended to go to Switzerland to participate in the commemoration ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary since the plane crash. He has been taken to an airport police office.

The plane crash killed 71 people, including 52 children. It occurred near the city of Uberlingen, Baden-Wurttemberg. The Tu-154 liner of the airlines of Bashkortostan collided in the air with a freight Boeing-757 of the DHL airline. Among the victims were Kaloyev's two daughters and wife.

The commission that investigated the crash said it was caused by errors of the Skyguide air traffic control service.

Air traffic controller of the service Peter Nielsen was killed near Zurich in 2004. According to Swish police, the main motive of the murder was Kaloyev's revenge to Nielsen, who was believed to be the main culprit of the tragedy. The Swish court found Kaloyev guilty of the murder and sentenced him to eight years' imprisonment. Later the term was reduced to five years and three months. After he was released, Kaloyev returned to North Ossetia.