Russia’s intelligence services are to develop extra security measures for its embassies following the killing of its ambassador to Turkey.<\/p>\n
Andrei Karlov was shot dead as he gave a speech on Monday in Ankara.<\/p>\n
The gunman, Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22, an Ankara policeman, was apparently protesting at Russia’s involvement in Syria’s Aleppo. He was later shot dead.<\/p>\n
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack was aimed at hurting ties with Russia.
\nIt was not clear whether the gunman, a riot police member, had links to any group.<\/p>\n
What do we know?
\nMr Karlov was attending an embassy-sponsored photo exhibition called “Russia as seen by Turks” on Monday evening in Ankara.<\/p>\n
He was several minutes into a speech when the gunman – who had been standing behind him as he spoke – fired about eight shots, according to eye witnesses.<\/p>\n
The ambassador fell to the ground instantly, while the smartly dressed gunman, wearing a suit and tie, waved a pistol and shouted in Arabic and Turkish.<\/p>\n
He yelled “don’t forget about Aleppo, don’t forget about Syria” and used the Arabic phrase “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).<\/p>\n
Karlov was rushed to hospital but his death was later confirmed.<\/p>\n
The gunman was killed at the gallery after a 15 minute shoot-out with police.<\/p>\n
Who was Mevlut Mert Altintas?
\nAltintas was born in the town of Soke in Aydin province, western Turkey, in 1994 and attended a special school for training future policemen.
\nBut he was on leave from his job as a member of Ankara’s riot police squad on medical grounds, Turkish newspaper Huriyet claimed.<\/p>\n
According to the pro-government Daily Sabah, Altintas had set off the metal detector on entering the exhibition, but was waved through after showing his official police ID.<\/p>\n
He was not known to have any political or extremist links. However, some Turkish media are pointing to a possible connection with the movement of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.<\/p>\n
However, the movement has condemned the attack and rejected any links to the attacker, according to an adviser quoted by Reuters news agency.<\/p>\n
Turkish officials blame the movement for July’s failed coup aimed at removing Mr Erdogan.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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