An assassination and a gunman’s final words put Turkey on edge

Andrei Karlov was giving a speech at a photography exhibition, sponsored by the Russian embassy, in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

The 22-year-old Turkish policeman who gunned down the Russian ambassador in Ankara called in sick on the day of the attack and promised to bring a doctor’s note for his supervisors, a senior security official told Reuters.

“Turkey will resolutely continue by exerting every effort to struggle against terrorism together with Russian Federation and all other partners”, it posted on its website.

The man then yelled: “Stand back!”

The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear but it is understood cops are examining all possible theories as to his death.

“Whoever has a share in this oppression will pay for it one-by-one”, the gunman added.

Some reports say the gunman, who has been “neutralised”, also shouted “We will make you pay for Aleppo”.

Shot: Karlov speaking moments before the attack happened.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was in touch with Turkish authorities about the attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin personally visited the funeral to honor the memory of the killed diplomat.

A short ceremony, attended by Ankara’s top diplomats and Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes, took place before Karlov left the country for the last time.

Pro-government media reported police found pro-Gulen literature that belonged to Altintas. He had been Russia’s ambassador to Turkey since 2013.

Honor guard holds a picture of Andrey Karlov at Esenboga airport in Ankara, Turkey.

The embassy also conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the Russian people.

The arrests were carried out in the province of Ankara, in addition to the southwestern provinces of Izmir and Aydin, the NTV broadcaster cited police as saying.

An investigation has been launched into why Turkish police did not capture the Russian ambassador to Turkey’s assassin alive. He is married and father to a son.

Much of Mr Karlov’s career has been in North and South Korea. He served as Russia’s ambassador to Pyongyang in 2001-2006, and later worked as the chief of the Foreign Ministry’s consular department.

Cowering: People huddle together following the shooting.