Rabat – Andrei Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, was assassinated on Monday during a visit to an art exhibit in Ankara, according to several reports emerging from the region.
Russia’s state news agency reported the Karlov died at the scene of the shooting, though other sources suggest he was still alive when transported to the hospital.
The diplomat is currently in a hospital seeking treatment for the “serious” wounds he suffered, the BBC said. He was shot while making a speech addressing the special event’s attendees.
Several bystanders also maintained injuries from the attack, which took place at a photo gallery hosting a “Russia as seen by Turks” exhibit.
The gunman has yet to be identified and his motives remain unclear. Before shooting, he yelled “Don’t forget about Aleppo, don’t forget about Syria” followed by “Allahu Akbar.”
Turkish media reports said the attacker had also been “neutralized,” or killed.
Turkish citizens protested Russia’s involvement in Syria on Sunday, but Ankara and Moscow have been working hand in hand to evacuate citizens trapped in Aleppo – which is now almost completely under the control of President Bashar Al Assad, whose armed forces have reportedly been murdering political opponents one-by-one in the eastern half of the city.
Yesterday’s demonstrators held Russia and President Vladimir Putin responsible for the human rights abuses occurring in Syria.
