Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov has been assassinated by a gunman who shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo!” while visiting an art gallery in Ankara, international reports say.
Karlov was giving a speech at an exhibition opening when a man dressed in a suit at tie fired at least eight shots at the ambassador, said a witness.
The alleged gunman was 22-year-old Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, a police officer from the Ankara police special forces department, who was later killed by special forces.
The shooter allegedly shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria!”
According to The Guardian the shooter also shouted in Arabic: “We are the one who pledged allegiance to Muhammad, to wage jihad.”
Andrei Karlov.
Andrei Karlov giving a speech just moments before the attack.
As screams rang out, he could then be seen pacing about and shouting as he held the gun in one hand and waved the other in the air.
Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed that Karlov died at the scene and described the attack as an “act of terrorism”.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop says our government “condemns” the attack.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
