Russia’s ambassador to Turkey has
been shot after an attacker opened fire at a photo exhibition in
Ankara Monday 19th December.
The ambassador, Andrei Karlov, was
several minutes into a speech at the embassy-sponsored exhibition in the
capital when a man wearing a suit and tie shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ and fired at
least eight shots, according to an AP photographer in the audience.
He’s alleged to have also
shouted ‘we die in Aleppo, you die here in Turkey
The attacker also said some words in
Russian and smashed several photos which were part of the exhibition.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman
Maria Zakharova said in a televised statement that the ministry would soon
comment on ‘the attack on the Russian ambassador in Turkey’.
Turkish police have fatally shot the
gunman involved, according to media reports coming from Turkey .
Three other people were wounded in
the attack, NTV said. Ms Zakharova and that Russia was in contact with
Turkish officials about the incident.
While US state department spokesman
John Kirby said American officials are aware of the reports. ‘We condemn
this act of violence, whatever its source,’ Mr Kirby said.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with
him and his family.’
A photographer at the scene said
that they heard at least eight shots and the ambassador is in a critical
condition.
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.
Protesters in Turkey have held
Moscow responsible for human rights violations in Aleppo.
The attack comes after days of
protests in Turkey over Russia’s role in Syria.
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