Russia still believes Egypt unsafe for tourists: sources tell Sputnik

Russia still considers Egypt to be unsafe for Russian tourists, a source close to Russian-Egyptian air safety negotiations told Sputnik on Thursday.

“It is unsafe to vacation in Egypt, and the recent attack on tourists at a Hurghada beach is proof,” the source said.

Russia is not satisfied with Egypt’s unwillingness to duly investigate the deadly plane crash over the Sinai that led to Moscow’s closure of air traffic between the countries.

“They are determined to investigate the crash forever and punish no one. We are not satisfied with this position,” the source said Wednesday.

“The Egyptians do not want to link the investigation of the crash with the resumption of tourist flights from Russia,” the source pointed out.

According to the source, Russia is concerned over the lack of progress by the Egyptian authorities in the investigation of the Russian plane crash over Sinai.

“At present the sides do not have an understanding what happened to the plane, how the explosive device got on board, who brought it there. There are also no identified suspects and their accomplices from the airport staff,” the source said.

Russia suspended flights to and from Egypt after a Russian Airbus A321 crashed over the Sinai Peninsula soon after taking off from Sharm El-Sheikh on October 31, 2015. Russian security services called the incident that killed all 224 on board the St. Petersburg-bound flight an act of terrorism.

Source: Sputnik