Russian delegation in Ankara to probe envoy's murder

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) – An 18-strong Russian delegation arrived in Ankara on Tuesday afternoon to help investigate the murder of ambassador Andrey Karlov.

One Russian prosecutor, two defense attaches, security officials, autopsy experts and officials from the country’s Ministry of Emergency Situations have examined the crime scene where Karlov was gunned down.

Turkish officials cooperated with the Russian delegates.

Some Russian officials examined Karlov's remains and those of the gunman, Mevlut Mert Altintas, at the Institution of Forensic Medicine in the Turkish capital.

Andrey Karlov died after being shot multiple times at an art exhibition in Ankara on Monday evening.

Karlov was delivering a speech when the assailant, 22-year-old policeman Altintas, opened fire on him.

The envoy's autopsy has been completed and his remains have been sent to Ankara’s Esenboga International Airport for a state ceremony before repatriation to Russia.

Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag attended the airport ceremony.

Karlov's family will also fly to Moscow.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday said Ankara’s Karyagdi Street, where the Russian embassy is located, will be renamed Karlov Street in memory of the slain diplomat.

Security has been tightened at Turkey's diplomatic missions in Russia following Monday’s shock assassination, according to the Russian Interior Ministry.

"Police stepped up security at Turkey’s diplomatic missions in the Russian Federation," ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk was quoted as saying by the official TASS news agency.

Volk said Turkey’s embassy in Moscow and consulates in Russian cities were now under "round-the-clock" protection.

-Arrests

Six relatives and a roommate of the assassin were arrested by Turkish police early Tuesday; his uncle was released under judicial restrictions.

Hasan F., the uncle of slain assassin Mevlut Mert Altintas, is a former senior executive at a Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO)-linked private school shut down in an investigation following the July 15 defeated coup, which was blamed on the group.

Altintas’s parents, sister and two other relatives were arrested in the southwestern province of Aydin.

The relatives were taken to Aydin’s Security Directorate after questioning, said security sources on condition of anonymity.

His roommate in Ankara was also arrested.