Turkey gunman who shot Russian ambassador shouted 'Don't forget Syria'

The gunman then yelled: "Stand back! Stand back! Only death will take me out of here."
Turkey gunman who shot Russian ambassador Karlov. (Photo | AP)
Turkey gunman who shot Russian ambassador Karlov. (Photo | AP)
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ANKARA: The gunman who killed the Russian ambassador to Turkey at a photo exhibition in Ankara shouted in Turkish "Don't forget Aleppo! Don't forget Syria!"

The man then yelled: "Stand back! Stand back! Only death will take me out of here. Anyone who has a role in this oppression will die one by one."

Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov was several minutes into a speech at the embassy-sponsored exhibition when he was shot. The gunman also shouted "Allahu akbar," the Arabic phrase for "God is great." Police later killed the gunman, according to reports.

The attack comes a day before a meeting of Russian, Turkish and Iranian foreign and defense ministers in Moscow to discuss Syria.

Russia and Iran have backed Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Turkey has supported Assad's foes.

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