The man on the right, identified as the shooter, stands over the body of Ambassador Andrey Karlov (Getty Images)
ANKARA (Hurriyet Daily News)—Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, was shot dead at an art exhibition in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Dec. 19, Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed.
Karlov was shot by a gun while making a speech at a photography exhibition in the Turkish capital, the Russian embassy said, adding that it believed that it was a radical Islamist attack.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova later announced that Karlov succumbed to his wounds.
Meanwhile, private broadcaster NTV said three other persons were also injured in the attack. The channel also reported that the attacker was shot dead later in a police operation at the scene.
The three wounded people were taken to Güven Hospital in central Ankara, CNN Türk reported.
Hürriyet Ankara representative Deniz Zeyrek said the attacker first shot into the air and later shot the envoy in the back.
The gunman at the Ankara gallery (AP photo)
He shot the envoy for the second time after the scene was evacuated. It has also been reported that the attacker entered the scene by showing a police identity and wearing a suit.
The attacker reportedly shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo! Don’t forget Syria! As long as our brothers are not safe, you will not enjoy safetyâ€
