Syrian jet pilot whose jet crashed in Turkey released from custody

HATAY

A Turkish court early on Oct. 13 decided to release on judicial control a Syrian military pilot whose jet crashed near the Turkish border in March, according to judicial sources.

Mehmet Sufhan, 56, who faces charges of espionage and border violations, was released pending trial, said the source.

Sufhan was found alive after ejecting safely when his jet was reportedly shot down by opposition forces as it took off from the port city of Latakia to strike Idlib on March 4.

After being found and undergoing medical treatment, he was remanded in custody.