Russian Ambassador to Turkey assassinated [Warning: Graphic Video Inside]

The Russian ambassador to Turkey has been shot dead by a police officer who shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo” as he pulled the trigger. The chilling attack on Monday evening, which was captured on video, appeared to be a backlash against the Russian military involvement in the Syrian civil war according to the Guardian (UK)

Andrei Karlov was attacked at the opening of an art exhibition in Ankara, by a man believed to be an off-duty Turkish police officer. Karlov was several minutes into a speech when he was shot. Footage of the attack showed a man dressed in a suit and tie standing calmly behind the ambassador. He then pulled out a gun, shouted “Allahu Akbar” and fired at least eight shots.

After firing at the ambassador, the man shouted in Turkish: “Don’t forget Aleppo. Don’t forget Syria. Unless our towns are secure, you won’t enjoy security. Only death can take me from here. Everyone who is involved in this suffering will pay a price.”

He also shouted in Arabic: “We are the one who pledged allegiance to Muhammad, to wage jihad.”

Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed that Karlov died at the scene and described the attack as an “act of terrorism”.

Turkish special forces surrounded the gallery and killed the attacker. Photographs from the aftermath of the attack appeared to show him lying dead on the floor. Three other people were wounded.