Horror as Russian ambassador to Turkey is shot dead in art exhibition in Ankara by well-dressed gunman screaming: 'Allahu Akbar... We die in Aleppo, you die here' 

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The Russian ambassador to Turkey was last night shot dead by an off-duty Turkish police officer at an art gallery in Ankara in 'revenge' for the conflict in Syria.

Ambassador Andrei Karlov, 62, was shot several times from behind by a gunman shouting: 'Allahu Akbar (God is Great). We die in Aleppo, you die here!' He also screamed: 'Only death will take me out of here.'

The shooter, who was wearing a suit and tie, has been identified as Mevlüt Mert Altintas, 22, a member of Ankara's police riot squad. He reportedly fired into the air before taking aim at the ambassador.

He then turned weapon on others in the gallery - injuring three - before he was shot dead in a 15-minute stand-off with police. There has been some suggestion that Altintas was linked to Turkey's failed coup in July. 

Russian president Vladimir Putin condemned the attack, saying: 'The crime that was committed is without doubt a provocation aimed at disrupting the normalisation of Russian-Turkish relations and disrupting the peace process in Syria.' Russian embassies to be stepped up and as Putin vowed to find who had 'directed' the gunman's hand.

The killing comes after days of protests in Turkey over Russia's role in Syria. 

Today the Russians are due to host Turkey and Iran's foreign ministers for talks on the evacuation of civilians from Aleppo. Both sides have indicated they will still go ahead.

Rant: Altintas shouts 'Allahu akbar [God is great]' as Andrei Karlov lies dying on the floor after the fatal gallery shooting

Poised to strike: As Andrei Karlov takes to the microphone, about to make a speech at an art exhibition, as gunman Mevlut Mert Altintas, left in the background, stands calmly behind him

Gunned down: The Russian ambassador is shot in the back and at least once at close range after collapsing to the ground. He dies of his injuries shortly afterwards

Challenge: The gunman turns his weapon on others in the gallery, injuring three people. He was later shot dead

Bloodied end: An image of the gunman, lying dead on the floor of the art gallery, was posted on Twitter after the stand-off

Terror: Spectators cowered in the corner of the gallery as Mr Karlov was shot at close range by the 22-year-old gunman

Escape: Guests were evacuated from the gallery after Mr Karlov was shot dead by the Turkish police officer

Lockdown: Dozens of Turkish police secured the area around the gallery following the fatal shooting of the diplomat last night

The ambassador was attending an art exhibition called 'Russia as seen by Turks' when Altintas entered the gallery – around 100 yards from the US embassy – by allegedly showing his police officer badge.

The gunman, who had been a policeman for two-and-a-half years, was seen standing calmly behind Mr Karlov before the attack. He fired nine shots and shouted 'Allahu akbar [God is great]' as Mr Karlov fell to the ground.

As Mr Karlov lay dying on the floor, Altintas shot him at least once more at close range.

The horrific scene was filmed by journalists covering the opening. 

In Arabic, Altintas can be heard saying: 'We are the descendants of those who supported the Prophet Muhammad for jihad.' 

According to local media, his words are similar to the unofficial anthem of Al Nusra, the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda.

In Turkish, Altintas adds: 'Don't forget about Aleppo. Don't forget about Syria. As long as our lands are not safe, you will not taste safety … Only death will take me out of here. Anyone who has a role in this oppression, they will all die one by one.'

Some reports claimed he said words to the effect of: 'We made an oath to die in martyrdom … it is revenge for Syria and Aleppo … until they are safe, you will not taste safety.' 

Other reports suggested he said: '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.' 

Brutal: As Mr Karlov lay dying on the floor, Altintas shot him at least once more at close range 

Fatal shooting: Gunman Altintas, 22, an off-duty police officer, fired into the air before taking aim at Andrei Karlov

On the edge: Riot officer Altintas waved his arms in the air as he shouted at the terrified visitors inside the gallery

Chilling pledge: The gunman said he would not leave the scene alive as he screamed at terrified guests inside the gallery

Explosive: Altintas turned his gun on others, injuring three. He was heard shouting slogans in both Turkish and Arabic

Taking aim: It reportedly took about 15 minutes before the gunman was himself shot dead at the gallery

Unhinged: He continued to shout in Turkish and Arabic as the victim lay dead at his feet 

Anger: A discarded pair of glasses are seen on the floor of the gallery alongside the ambassador's body 

Target: Mr Karlov (pictured) was about to give a speech at an art exhibition when the gunman burst in and began firing at him

When the violence erupted in the exhibition, Altintas smashed several of the framed photos on the wall as others ran for cover.   

Witness Hasim Kilic, a journalist for Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, told AFP: 'It happened during the opening of an exhibition. When the ambassador was delivering a speech, a tall man wearing a suit, fired into the air first and then took aim at the ambassador.

'He said something about Aleppo and 'revenge'. He ordered the civilians to leave the room. When people were fleeing, he fired again.

An unnamed witness added to news website Diken: 'There was a single attacker. He was wearing a suit. He said to the Russian ambassador: 'I'm not going to get out of here alive. And neither are you.'

'Then he took aim straight at him. We all ran out. The ambassador was motionless on the ground.'

Photographer Burhan Ozbilici, who was covering the exhibition, said: 'The Russian ambassador was sprawled on the floor and the attacker was waving his gun at the rest of us, shouting slogans.

'He shot the ambassador at least once more at close range and smashed some of the framed photos … In all there were at least eight shots. Guests ran for cover, hiding behind columns and under tables.' 

According to local media, the gunman's words during the attack were similar to the unofficial anthem of the rebel group Al Nusra, a Syrian branch of Al Qaeda.

But Turkish security officials claimed there were 'very strong signs' Altintas was a follower of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. 

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed the failed coup on Mr Gulen, who is exiled in Pennsylvania in the US.

Ibrahim Melih Gokcek, mayor of Ankara, also claimed on Twitter that Altintas was a member of the Gulen movement.

A Turkish official, who declined to be named, said investigators were looking at Altintas's links to a network of Gulen followers, which the government calls the 'Gulenist Terrorist Organisation' (Feto).

But Mr Gulen's media representative Alp Aslandogan dismissed any link and said the cleric condemned the ambassador's murder as a 'heinous act'.  

Shocking: When the violence erupted, Altintas smashed several of the framed photos on the wall as others ran for cover

Safety: Witnesses described how people ran away and hid, seen right, as the violence started in the gallery

Off duty: Details of Altintas were soon shared on social media, along with this picture showing him in his police uniform

VLADIMIR PUTIN BRANDS KILLING A 'PROVOCATION'

Vladimir Putin tonight condemned the killing of the Russian ambassador as a 'provocation' aimed at sabotaging ties between Moscow and Ankara.

The Russian president said the death of Andrei Karlov, 62, was designed to 'disrupt the peace process in Syria' as he vowed to 'step up the fight against terrorism'.

He ordered security at Russian embassies around the world to be stepped up and said he wanted to know who had 'directed' the gunman's hand.

Russian investigators will be sent to Ankara to investigate the killing, he said at the meeting tonight. Moscow has branded the killing as a 'terrorist act'.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin, right, and Alexander Bortnikov, second from right, director of the Federal Security Service, on Monday night

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, pictured, said both he and Putin had agreed they must work together in the fight against terrorism

Meanwhile Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said both he and Putin had agreed they must work together in the fight against terrorism as he reiterated the ties between their two countries. 

Speaking at a special meeting at the Kremlin tonight, Putin said: 'The crime that was committed is without doubt a provocation aimed at disrupting the normalisation of Russian-Turkish relations and disrupting the peace process in Syria that is being actively advanced by Russia, Turkey and Iran.

'There can be only one answer to this - stepping up the fight against terrorism, and the bandits will feel this.'

Putin, who said he personally knew Mr Karlov, said he had agreed in a phone call with his Turkish counterpart and agreed Russian investigators would soon fly to Ankara to help with the investigation.

Putin added: 'We have to know who directed the hand of the killer.

Putin called Mr Karlov a 'brilliant diplomat' and said he had known the ambassador personally. Pictured, the men together in October

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Russian and Turkish foreign and defence ministers had been due to meet in Moscow today to discuss Syria. 

A Russian foreign ministry spokesman said: 'We qualify what happened as a terrorist act. The murderers will be punished … today this issue will be raised at the UN Security Council. Terrorism will not win out.' 

At an emergency meeting last night, Putin said the killing was a 'provocation' aimed at sabotaging ties between Moscow and Ankara.

The Russian president said the killing was designed to 'disrupt the peace process in Syria' as he vowed to 'step up the fight against terrorism'. 

In televised comments he said: 'There can be only one answer to this - stepping up the fight against terrorism, and the bandits will feel this.' 

Putin, who personally knew Mr Karlov, said he had agreed in a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that Russian investigators would soon fly to Ankara to help with the investigation.

Putin added: 'We have to know who directed the hand of the killer.'  

Meanwhile Mr Erdogan said both he and Putin had agreed they must work together in the fight against terrorism as he reiterated the strength of the ties between the two countries. 

Elena Panina, Russian MP on the international relations committee, said: 'I believe this is a provocation to disrupt improved dialogue between Russia and Turkey.' 

Ibrahim Melih Gokcek, Ankara's mayor, described the attack as 'heinous'.  

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter: 'Shocked to hear of despicable murder of Russia's ambassador to Turkey. My thoughts are with his family. I condemn this cowardly attack.' 

Defence Secretary Sir Michael told MPs it was 'a shocking act involving a diplomat who should otherwise, of course, enjoy proper protection', adding: 'His murder does not bring any conflict in the Middle East further to a resolution.'

Richard Moore, the UK's ambassador to Turkey, said on Twitter: 'Devastating news about Andrei Karlov. My wife & my thoughts with his wife Marina & family & to all colleagues at Russian Embassy.'

He described Mr Karlov as 'quietly spoken, hospitable (and) professional'. 

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned what he called a 'senseless act of terror', saying 'there can be no justification'. He offered 'deepest condolences to the Russian delegation'. 

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric reiterated the U.N.'s condemnation and said 'we very much hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice'.

He said Ban 'is following the unfolding situation closely and wishes the other people who were reportedly injured in the attack a speedy and full recovery'.

Last night Russian ultranationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky appeared to blame Britain, claiming the assassination was intended to stop an upcoming visit by Turkish president Erdogan to Moscow to seal closer ties with Putin. He said: 'The West is trying to embroil us. All conflicts were inspired by Britain. 

High alert: Dozens of armed police gathered outside the art centre in Ankara after the fatal shooting of Mr Karlov

A police cordon was put in place after the assassination, near the Russian embassy in Ankara

Dozens of police officers arrived at the scene in the wake of the shooting on Monday night 

Russia has condemned the assassination of Mr Karlov as a 'terror attack'. Pictured, the scene

Turkish police officers cordon off the area around the gallery where Mr Karlov was shot dead

The area around the gallery was closed off in the hours following the fatal shooting

Armoured police vehicles arrived at the scene where Mr Karlov was shot dead by police officer Mevlüt Mert Altintas

Turkish police secure the area near an art gallery where the Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was shot today

Turkish police arrived at the scene of the shooting and are believed to have gunned down the ambassador's assassin

He alleged: 'This is done deliberately to frustrate Erdogan's visit. For sure, now, the visit will be postponed.' The assassination 'was done for purpose, because we are ready to sign important agreements', he added. 

The attack took place a day after protests in Turkey over Russian support for Syrian president Bashar Al Assad. 

Last week protests were held outside the Russian Embassy in Ankara and Russia's Consulate General in Istanbul over Russian involvement in the crisis. 

Demonstrators chanted slogans against Russia, Iran and China for deliberately supporting the Assad regime.

They claimed that Russian forces cooperated with Assad to slaughter civilians in war-stricken Aleppo and using chemical weapons. 

Security was stepped up outside the Turkish embassy in Moscow, Russia, following the assassination

Two women mourn the loss of Mr Karlov outside the Russian foreign ministry in Moscow, hours after the assassination

A woman pays her respects to Mr Karlov by leaving a bouquet of flowers outside the Russian Foreign Ministry, in Moscow

A photograph of Mr Karlov was left alongside bouquets of flowers outside the Russian foreign ministry in Moscow

The undercover cop assassin: The special forces officer, 22, who gunned down Russian ambassador 

The family of the gunman were arrested just hours after the attack last night – as he was linked to Turkey's failed coup in July.

Mevlut Mert Altintas's father Esrafil, mother Hamidiye, and his sister, Seher Ozeroglu, who works in a clothes shop, were arrested in his home town of Soke in Aydin, a province on western Turkey's Aegean coast.

Police reportedly raided the family's house, where they are thought to have lived for only two months. 

Police also detained Altıntas's uncle, who had been working at a closed school allegedly linked to the Gülen movement in the Kuşadası district, on Tuesday. He was reportedly previously detained as part of the investigation into the failed July 15 coup attempt. 

The family of the gunman were arrested just hours after the attack last night. Pictured, Altintas brandishes the gun

Altintas's housemate, an unnamed fellow officer, was also arrested after police raided his home in Ankara.

According to local media, the gunman's words during the attack were similar to the unofficial anthem of the rebel group Al Nusra, a Syrian branch of Al Qaeda.

Another Turkish website claimed to show sections of Altintas's personnel file

But Turkish security officials claimed there were 'very strong signs' Altintas was a follower of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed the failed coup on Mr Gulen, who is exiled in Pennsylvania in the US.

Ibrahim Melih Gokcek, mayor of Ankara, also claimed on Twitter that Altintas was a member of the Gulen movement.

A Turkish official, who declined to be named, said investigators were looking at Altintas's links to a network of Gulen followers, which the government calls the 'Gulenist Terrorist Organisation' (Feto).

The official added: 'The people he lived with before school were detained over Feto. It was determined that the people with whom he graduated from school were from a Feto team … There are very strong signs that the person who carried out this attack was from Feto.'

Turkish media pointed out that Altintas took two days' holiday immediately after the coup.

But Mr Gulen's media representative Alp Aslandogan dismissed any link and said the cleric condemned the ambassador's murder as a 'heinous act'.

The government says Mr Gulen, who has been in self-imposed exile since 1999, created a 'parallel network' in the police, military, judiciary and civil service aimed at overthrowing the state. Mr Gulen denies this.

Altintas was born in 1994 and graduated from police college in 2014. A photo of him in police uniform, above, was widely circulated by Turkish media last night. He had been working in Ankara's riot squad for two-and-a-half years.