Turkey: Russia's Ambassador in Ankara Assassinated by Police Officer

Andrey Karlov, Russia's envoy to Turkey, shot at Ankara art exhibit by gunman, a police officer who allegedly shouted 'Allahu Akbar' and 'Don't forget Aleppo' before being fatally shot by police. Turkish official: Gulen ties investigated.

Andrey Karlov, Russia's ambassador to Turkey was shot in the back and killed as he gave a speech at an Ankara art gallery on Monday by an off-duty police officer who shouted "don't forget Aleppo" and "Allahu Akbar" as he opened fire.

Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed Karlov's death, calling it a "terrorist act." Relations between Moscow and Ankara have long been strained over the conflict in Syria, with the two support opposing sides in the war.

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Russia is an ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad and its airstrikes helped Syrian forces end rebel resistance last week in the northern city of Aleppo. Turkey, which has long sought Assad's ouster, has been repairing ties with Moscow after shooting down a Russian warplane over Syria last year.

The shooting of Andrey Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, after being shot at an Ankara art exhibit, December 19, 2016Burhan Ozbilici, AP

The gunman who fatally shot Russia's ambassador to Turkey in Ankara.Burhan Ozbilici, AP

The gunman who fatally shot Russia's ambassador to Turkey in Ankara.Burhan Ozbilici, AP

Erdogan, who has faced a string of attacks by Islamist and Kurdish militants as well as an attempted coup in July, identified the attacker as 22-year-old Mevlut Mert Altintas, who had worked for Ankara riot police for two and a half years. Two security sources told Reuters he was not on duty at the time. CNN Turk TV said police had detained Aydintas's sister and mother. 

The attacker was smartly dressed in black suit and tie and stood, alone, behind the ambassador as he made a speech at the art exhibition, a person at the scene told Reuters.

"He took out his gun and shot the ambassador from behind. We saw him lying on the floor and then we ran out," said the witness, who asked not to be identified. People took refuge in adjoining rooms as the shooting continued.

A video showed the attacker shouting: "Don't forget Aleppo, don't forget Syria!" and "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) as screams rang out. He paced about and shouted as he held the gun in one hand and waved the other in the air.

Turkish police secure the area near an art gallery where Russia's envoy to Turkey was fatally shot, Ankara, Turkey, December 19, 2016.

A Reuters cameraman at the scene said gunfire rang out for some time after the attack. Turkey's Anadolu news agency said the gunman had been "neutralized," apparently killed.

Another photograph showed four people the ambassador lying on the floor.

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