Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, is assassinated by an off-duty police in Ankara during a photography exhibition. The killer, identified as police officer Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, reportedly shouted pro-Islamist slogans after shooting down the envoy as he was making a speech Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov was assassinated late on 19 December during the opening […]
Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, is assassinated by an off-duty police in Ankara during a photography exhibition. The killer, identified as police officer Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, reportedly shouted pro-Islamist slogans after shooting down the envoy as he was making a speech
Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov was assassinated late on 19 December during the opening of an art exhibition in the Turkish capital of Ankara, allegedly by an off-duty police officer.
The attacker reportedly shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo! Don’t forget Syria! As long as our brothers are not safe, you will not enjoy safety” according to footage released on Dutch website nos.nl.
“Whoever has a share in this oppression will pay for it one-by-one,” he added.
“Only death will take me from here.” He also shouted “Allahu Akbar” a number of times. Other reports suggested the attacker, identified as Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, a 22-year-old riot police officer who was not on duty on the night, also shouted slogans in praise of al-Nusra.
Last week, Islamist protesters staged protests around Turkey to denounce Russia for its alleged actions in Aleppo. Members of the Islamist movement in Turkey have expressed anger at Russia after its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad resulted in a victory for government forces over jihadists in the northern Syrian city. Protesters on Istanbul’s İstiklal Avenue chanted “Murderer Aleppo” while marching on the Russian consulate.
Altıntaş reportedly gained entry to the Çağdaş Sanatlar Merkezi by showing his police officer’s badge and wearing a suit. He also pretended to be a bodyguard, according to reports.
As Karlov was speaking, Altıntaş first fired in the air then struck the ambassador in the back. He then fired a second shot before shouting slogans.
Altıntaş, who was from the western province of Aydın’s Söke district, was subsequently killed by Turkish security forces.
Three other people were also injured in the attack, which was subject to a partial press ban by Turkish authorities.
Karlov, who started his career as a diplomat in 1976, worked extensively in North Korea over three decades, before moving to Ankara in 2007, according to a biography on the Russian Embassy’s website. He became ambassador in July 2013.
The murder comes at a time of renewed ties between Moscow and Ankara. Turkey, Russia and Iran are to meet on 20 December to discuss Aleppo and Syria in general. Due to the warming of the ties, pro-government media, as well as Justice and Development Party (AKP) Mayor Melih Gökçek, immediately attempted to pin the blame for the killing on the Gülenist movement, the government’s erstwhile ally but which is accused by the AKP of leading the 15 July coup attempt as part of an internecine Islamist fight.
Hürriyet Daily News/Sendika.Org
