A Turkish policeman fatally shot Russia’s ambassador to Turkey on Monday in front of a shocked gathering at a photo exhibit and then, pacing near the body of his victim, appeared to condemn Russia’s military role in Syria, shouting: “Don’t forget Aleppo! Don’t forget Syria!”
The leaders of Turkey and Russia said the attack in Ankara, the Turkish capital, was an attempt to disrupt efforts to repair ties between their countries, which have backed opposing sides in the Syrian civil war.
An Associated Press photographer and others at the art gallery watched in horror as the gunman, who was wearing a dark suit and tie, fired at least eight shots, at one point walking around Ambassador Andrei Karlov as he lay motionless and shooting him again at close range.
? #Russia – #Turkey :
New video surfaces showing the moment of assassinating Russian Ambassador in Ankara,btr anglespic.twitter.com/qH2rflQzO0— Hasan Sari (@HasanSari7) December 20, 2016
The assailant, who was identified as Mevlut Mert Altintas, a 22-year-old member of Ankara’s riot police squad, was later killed in a shootout with police. Three other people were wounded in the attack, authorities said.
What the assassination of a Russian envoy means for Russia, Turkey, Syria and the U.S. https://t.co/sCg2oMB9hW pic.twitter.com/of9mU00mcZ
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) December 20, 2016
Source: ANKARA, Turkey (AP)
