Trump Condemns ‘Radical Islamic Terrorist’ Who Assassinated Russian Ambassador
President-elect Donald Trump called for the “universal condemnation” of the “radical Islamic terrorist” who assassinated Russia’s ambassador to Turkey on Monday.
“Today we offer our condolences to the family and loved ones of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, who was assassinated by a radical Islamic terrorist,” Trump said in a short statement.
JUST IN: President Elect Trump's statement on the assassination of Russian amb. to Turkey: pic.twitter.com/c4YPnAw27V
— Ali Vitali (@alivitali) December 19, 2016
“The murder of an ambassador is a violation of all rules of civilized order and must be universally condemned,” the president-elect added.
The White House also issued a statement condemning the violence, but it refrained from connecting the shooting to radical Islam.
“This heinous attack on a member of the diplomatic corps is unacceptable, and we stand united with Russia and Turkey in our determination to confront terrorism in all of its forms,” the White House said.
Trump has long criticized President Obama for refraining from using the term “radical Islamic terrorism.”
When will President Obama issue the words RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISM? He can't say it, and unless he will, the problem will not be solved!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2015
A Turkish police officer fatally shot Karlov in front of an audience at a photo exhibit in Ankara. The assailant, identified as Mevlut Mert Altintas, was later killed in a shootout with police.
Altintas, a member of Ankara’s riot police squad, walked into the room during the middle of Karlov’s speech shouting “Allahu akbar,” according to an Associated Press photographer who witnessed the incident.
The terrorist then shot the diplomat dead in front of a room of frightened spectators, angrily denounced the bloodshed in Syria and reportedly shouted, “We are the descendants of those who supported the Prophet Muhammad, for jihad.”
He also shouted, “Don’t forget about Syria, don’t forget about Aleppo,” according to Reuters.
Footage of the assassination was captured and immediately shared around the world. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it considered the shooting to be a terrorist attack.
Three other people were wounded in the shooting, authorities said. (For more from the author of “Trump Condemns ‘Radical Islamic Terrorist’ Who Assassinated Russian Ambassador” please click HERE)
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