Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, Andrey G. Karlov, was killed by a gunman on Monday in Ankara, the capital. Turkish officials said the killer had been a police officer who, after shooting, shouted: “Don’t forget Aleppo! Don’t forget Syria!” Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the assassination a terrorist attack.
Russia’s state news agency said Andrey Karlov was shot several times while visiting an art exhibition opening in the Turkish capital Ankara on Dec 19, 2016, and died at the scene of his wounds.
The attack on Andrey Karlov came after days of protests in Turkey over Russia’s role in Syria, although Moscow and Ankara are now working closely together to evacuate citizens from Aleppo. Pictures published by the Hurriyet daily showed at least two men in suits lying flat on the ground as another man brandished a gun. The attack happened at the Cagdas Sanatlar Merkezi, a major art exhibition hall in the Cankaya district of Ankara where most foreign embassies are located including Russia’s mission.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova later announced that Karlov succumbed to his wounds. Turkish Foreign Ministry has also confirmed Karlov’s death, in a written statement, adding that the perpetrators will face justice for their action. The ministry designated the attack on Karlov as a “terror organization.”
The attacker, a police officer named as Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, fired a shot into the air as the ambassador spoke and then shot him multiple times. The 22-year-old gunman was killed during a shootout with police.
