MOSCOW, April 1 (RAPSI) - Alparslan Celik, a militant suspected of killing Oleg Peshkov, Russian pilot of Su-24 bomber downed by the Turkish Air Force in Syria, has been arrested in the city of Izmir in western Turkey, RIA Novosti reported on Friday citing a city police source.

Celik, who returned from Syria where he fought with militants against government forces, was arrested in a group of 14 people at a restaurant in Izmir, Turkish media reported on Thursday evening. One AK assault rifle, two pistols and ammunition were seized from them.

On November 24, Peshkov was reportedly murdered by rebel gunfire from the ground after he ejected from the downed plane.

Relations between Russia and Turkey became troubled after the incident. President Vladimir Putin described the murder of Russian pilot as “a stab in the back delivered by accomplices of the terrorists.”