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Kaloyev issued visa to enter Germany – RF Consul General

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

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, has been issued a visa to enter Germany to allow him to take part in the mourning ceremonies devoted to the July 1 tragedy, Russian Consul General in Munich Andrei Grozov told Itar-Tass on Saturday.

Kaloyev was detained at Munich’s 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, which had 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.

Kaloyev has allowed the entry to Germany to take part in the mourning ceremonies timed to the anniversary of the air crash over Boden Lake, North Ossetian leader Taimuraz Mamsurov wrote in his Twitter blog.

“The Russian consul kept his promise: Vitaly was allowed the entry to Germany. He is leaving for the site of the tragedy by being accompanied by Russian diplomats,” Mamsurov wrote.

As of today Kaloyev is North Ossetian construction deputy minister. He will enter Germany for the first time after his return to home.

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