World condemns assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey
Leaders uniformly denounced the shooting of Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov (R) accompanies Russian President Vladimir Putin at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, October 10, 2016.
The international community condemned the assassination of Russia's Ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, at an art gallery in Ankara on Monday evening.
An off-duty policeman shot Karlov multiple times as the ambassador spoke at the opening of a photo exhibition.
Karlov was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries.
Turkish special forces shot the assailant dead at the scene.
The exhibition, titled "From Kaliningrad to Kamchatka, from the eyes of travellers," featured photos from Russia's westernmost Baltic region to the Kamchatka Peninsula, in the east.
Political leaders from around the world have condemned the attack.
US Secretary of State John Kerry called it an "act of violence."
Secretary @JohnKerry: The U.S. condemns the assassination today in Ankara of #Russias Ambassador Andrey Karlov.https://t.co/6e99UPxJfG
— Department of State (@StateDept) December 19, 2016
US President-elect Donald Trump also condemned the attack.
Today there were terror attacks in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany - and it is only getting worse. The civilized world must change thinking!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2016
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his condolences.
I condemn the killing of Russias amb to Turkey. My condolences to his family & Russian people. No justification for such a heinous act.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) December 19, 2016
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called it "a cowardly attack."
Shocked to hear of despicable murder of #Russia's Ambassador to #Turkey. My thoughts are with his family. I condemn this cowardly attack.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 19, 2016
French President Francois Hollande condemned the attack "with force."
Je condamne avec force lassassinat de lAmbassadeur de Russie Ankara.
— Franois Hollande (@fhollande) December 19, 2016
Social media was abuzz after the assassination.
Here are some other reactions from Twitter:
Expressed to #Russia FM Lavrov EU condolences for unconceivable killing of Ambassador Karlov. Also in contact with #Turkey authorities
— Federica Mogherini (@FedericaMog) December 19, 2016
Israel condemns the brutal assassination of Ambassador Karlov in Ankara
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 19, 2016
We send our deepest condolences to his family and the Russian people
Deeply shocked by assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov. I extend my condolences to his family and Russia.
— Margot Wallstrm (@margotwallstrom) December 19, 2016
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