The assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey was caught on video
Andrei Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, was shot and killed Monday at an art gallery opening in Ankara. Given the publicity-generating intent of the event, the press was in attendance — and captured footage of the moment Karlov was shot by an unknown assailant.
In 50 seconds of very disturbing footage, Karlov can be seen standing at a lectern at the Cankaya Art Center and Concert Hall and giving a speech before a bullet pierces his chest and he falls to the ground. The gunman, who reportedly claimed to be a police officer when he entered the building, can be seen shouting and waving his gun at the crowd after he allegedly fired multiple shots.
He can be heard saying "allahu Akbhar," the Arabic phrase for "God is the greatest," and is also believed to have referenced Aleppo, the besieged Syrian city at the center of Russian-Turkish cease-fire negotiations. Screams can be heard in the background.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Protests broke out Sunday in Turkey over Russia's military intervention in Aleppo, which was seen as key to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's victory in the city. Karlov, a career diplomat for Russia, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after the attack and did not survive. The chilling — and graphic — moment can be seen below. Becca Stanek
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published