The Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was shot dead by a police officer who shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo”.

      Andrei Karlov was attacked at the opening of an art exhibition in Ankara by a man believed to be an off-duty Turkish police officer.

      Karlov was making his speech when he was shot.

      After firing at the ambassador, the man shouted in Turkish: “Don’t forget Aleppo. Don’t forget Syria. Unless our towns are secure, you won’t enjoy security. Only death can take me from here. Everyone who is involved in this suffering will pay a price.”

      He also shouted in Arabic: “We are the one who pledged allegiance to Muhammad, to wage jihad.”

      Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed that Karlov died at the scene and described the attack as an “act of terrorism”.

      Three other people were wounded.