The Russian ambassador to Turkey has been shot dead while making a speech in Ankara. This has now been confirmed by the Russian foreign ministry.

The assassin reportedly shouted out that this was revenge for Aleppo.

http://www.france24.com/en/breaking/...ate=2016-12-19

I do hope this is not an Arch Duke Ferdinand moment.

Oh sheet.

It is always interesting when the word assassinated is used, rather than murdered, when they are basically the same thing.

Shot on live TV by a Turkish police office shouting "God is Greatest, We die in Aleppo, you die here"

This very well could be.
Turkey as a geographical location is key for NATO, but their actions in the last couple of years concerning Russia could drag us into a conflict.
They are a bit of a rogue NATO member IMO.

The word is mainly used to describe political killing or a killing done for politicial reasons.

RT has moving footage and audio of the killer. Sky just seem to have stills. Are they self-censoring or have I just nor chanced upon it at the right times?

It wont be a watershed moment because Turkey is a valuable member of NATO etc etc...

Seems the assassin was a member of the Turkish security forces.

Video of shooting on YouTube - Discretion advised

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mhuki7Bs7rA

I wonder if the French will colour the Eiffel Tower in solidarity with the assassinated Russian ambassador tonight?

I count at least 8 shots fired at the ambassador. Seems he emptied the clip on the ambassador.

If Turkey can't protect foreign ambassadors from being murdered they need to feel the cold.

Turkey has NATO immunity. Untouchable.

In what way?

RT showing pictures of the shooter lying dead with his shirt smeared with blood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ6YeSANJ-w

What is "NATO immunity"? I'd say it's fairly meaningless. If Putin wants to drive his forces into Ankara, all guns blazing, I can't see Trump or May willing to get involved.

Obama did say there would be repercussions......

Really? Ever heard of Incirlik Air Base, as used by both Turkey AND the US Air Force?

Even the Donald wouldn't want to risk anything happening to that.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incirlik_Air_Base

That's their police?

Donald would just extricate any US assets from the air-base before anything could devalue them.

There is a reason why every single Tory begins discussing anything to do with Turkey by saying, 'Turkey is an important NATO ally.' Russia is toothless against Turkey because of this and both sides are aware of this.

Turkey holds NATO/US nukes in its southern airbase. Turkey is aware that it is untouchable.

Where on earth is the security there?
Usually when these things happen you have loads of security people swarming the assailant. Here the man is just there on his own ranting. No one there to apprehend him. Nothing.

But apparently HE was the security. The mind boggles.

It would take quite some time to relocate the tactical nuclear weapons stored there. Even if Trump caved in to Putin - which in turn would be political suicide for him at home, anyway.

How is that even possible with a state like that? It appears to be as much of a rogue state as a rogue state can be as we understand the term to mean.