UK: Search of Russian passenger plane was 'routine'

World
Europe

Britain said on Saturday it was "routine" to search the Russian plane, after Moscow demanded an official explanation for Friday's search of an Aeroflot passenger plane by London border officials at Heathrow airport, Reuters reported citing security minister.

"It is routine for the Border Force to search aircraft to protect the UK from organized crime and from those who attempt to bring harmful substances like drugs or firearms into the country," Security Minister Ben Wallace said in a statement.

"Once these checks were carried out the plane was allowed to carry on with its onward journey,” the minister added.

Earlier on Saturday Russia demanded an official explanation for the passenger plane search, "If there is no explanation, the Russian side will deem the actions towards our plane as illegal and also reserve the right to take similar action against British airlines."

A file photo of a passenger plane preparing to land at London Heathrow Airport in west London /VCG Photo

On Friday the Russian embassy in Britain said that British authorities had searched an Aeroflot plane at London's Heathrow airport.

"Border Force and Customs officers have searched the aircraft that was conducting Aeroflot flights 2582/2583, Moscow – London – Moscow. This kind of event is extraordinary," said the embassy in a statement

5800km

Source(s): Reuters