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ANKARA, Turkey--The Russian ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, has died after being shot in a gun attack in Ankara while giving speech at a photo exhibition, Russian media RIA Novosti reported. Russia's foreign ministry confirmed his death.
The shooter was "neutralized" at the scene, according to Turkish media. He has been identified as Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, a police officer, Turkey’s Interior Minister announced, according to Hurriyet Daily News.
The presidents of both Russia and Turkey have issued statements stating that the shooting was intended to be a provocation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a televised statement, said the attack was aimed at hurting his country’s re-developing ties with Russia but that those who wanted to harm the relationship “would not achieve it.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin also made a televised statement, in which he echoed Erdogan’s words that the incident was “undoubtedly a provocation aimed at disrupting the normalization” of Russia’s relationship with Turkey. He also said the attack aimed to harm the Syrian peace process.
The two leaders spoke by telephone after the attack.
After firing at least eight shots, according to footage of the incident, the attacker shouted in Arabic "Allahu Akbar!", then recited a verse of a poem, "We are those who have pledged jihad to Mohammed."
He then shouted in Turkish "Do not forget Aleppo! do not forget Syria! So long as these people have no security, you will not enjoy security in your homes."
"Those who have a hand in this oppression will pay the price, one by one."
Three other people were wounded in the attack and are in hospital, Turkish media reported.
The attack comes just a day before the Turkish foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, was expected to hold talks in Moscow on the Syrian civil war and the evacuation process in Aleppo with his Russian and Iranian counterparts.
Çavuşoğlu was reportedly en route to Moscow when the shooting occurred and he is expected to hold a joint press conference with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday, Hurriyet Daily News reported, citing Turkish diplomatic sources.
We will not let this attack cast a shadow over Turkey-Russia friendship.
— Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (@MevlutCavusoglu) December 19, 2016
The assassination has been condemned by NATO, American, and British officials on Twitter.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s Secretary General, tweeted his condemnation and condolences.
I condemn the killing of Russia’s amb to Turkey. My condolences to his family & Russian people. No justification for such a heinous act.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) December 19, 2016
The UK’s Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, described the attack as “despicable” and “cowardly.”
Shocked to hear of despicable murder of #Russia's Ambassador to #Turkey. My thoughts are with his family. I condemn this cowardly attack.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 19, 2016
The US’ Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his “disgust” over the killing, sharing a tweet from the US’ former ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul.
I share Amb. McFaul's disgust. https://t.co/GCFRfCrJfA
— Antony Blinken (@ABlinken) December 19, 2016
The alleged gunman is pictured gesturing after the shooting.
Photo: Burhan Ozbilici/AP
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