Egypt says still no proof ‘terrorist’ attack downed Russia plane

Egypt said Monday it still has no evidence that a “terrorist action” had downed a Russian plane at the end of October in the Sinai Peninsula, as stated by Moscow.

The jihadist Islamic State group said it smuggled a bomb on board that blew up the Russian jet on October 31, killing all 224 people on board.

On November 17, Moscow said an investigation had found that the plane which took off from the Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh was brought down by a bomb on board, a view shared by aviation experts.

“The technical committee has not received to date any indication of the presence of illicit meddling or a terrorist action,” said Ayman el-Mokkadem, the Egyptian head of a probe into the crash.

“The committee continues its work concerning the technical investigation,” he said in a statement released by the civil aviation ministry.

The A-321 airliner operated by Russia’s Metrojet and bound for Saint Petersburg broke up mid-air over the Sinai, minutes after take-off.

The wreckage fell several kilometres (miles) across North Sinai — the bastion of the Egyptian branch of the Islamic State.

Days after the crash, Moscow halted all Russian flights to and from Egypt. Britain too has suspended air links with Sharm el-Sheikh.