Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has claimed that assassinated Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov had established contact with the Syrian opposition in Turkey.
Read about the assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey
“He was so devoted to the cause of peace, truly understanding what was happening and how terrorists form, and that the more they spread their ideas in this region the more difficult it is to establish a political process,” Zakharova said on the television program An Evening With Vladimir Solovyov on Rossiya 1.
Zakharova added that Karlov had talked with the Syrian opposition and elicited their opinions, which she said provides another dimension to his assassination.
Ambassador Karlov became ambassador to Turkey in July 2013. He was killed Monday evening while attending a photo exhibition titled “Russia Through the Eyes of the Turks” in the capital Ankara. He is survived by a wife and son.
The gunman was 22-year-old Mevlut Mert Altintas, a Turkish policeman. After shooting the ambassador, Altintas shouted slogans referring to Aleppo in Syria.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
