Condemn killing of Russia’s Ambassador to Turkey
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, December 21
“It is with deep regret that I learned of the assassination of Andrey Karlov, Russia's Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey,” Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has stated.
“We are witnessing violence and provocations of unprecedented proportions in the 21st century,” he added.
The Russian Ambassador to Turkey was attending an embassy-initiated photo exhibition called "Russia as seen by Turks" on Monday evening in Ankara.
He was delivering a speech when a gunman standing behind him fired about eight shots.
The ambassador fell to the ground, while the smartly dressed gunman, wearing a suit and tie, waved a pistol and shouted in Arabic and Turkish.
"We die in Aleppo, you die here and don't forget about Aleppo, don't forget about Syria, Allahu Akbar,” the gunman was shouting.
Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22, who was subsequently killed by security forces, was identified as the killer.
Altintas was born in the town of Soke in Aydin province, western Turkey, in 1994 and attended a special school for training future policemen.
He was on leave from his job as a member of Ankara's riot police squad on medical grounds, Turkish newspaper Huriyet claimed.
The White House issued a statement condemning the assassination.
“The United States strongly condemns the assassination … which reportedly also left others wounded,” said National Security Council spokesperson Ned Price. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of Ambassador Karlov and the other victims, and we offer our condolences to the Russian people and Government.
“This heinous attack on a member of the diplomatic corps is unacceptable, and we stand united with Russia and Turkey in our determination to confront terrorism in all of its forms.”
