Vladimir Putin hints that WESTERN spies had a hand in assassination of Russian ambassador
Russian president echoes nationalist politicians in blaming West for killing of Andrei Karlov, who was gunned down in Ankara
VLADIMIR Putin has hinted that the West was behind the recent assassination of Russia’s ambassador in Turkey.
Speaking at his annual press conference, the Russian president told audience members he knew who was behind the killing.
Putin was speaking on the back of comments by senator Frants Klintsevich, who blamed Nato for the assassination.
Klintsevich said: “It can be ISIS, or the Kurdish army which tries to hurt Erdogan.
“But maybe - and it is highly likely - that representatives of foreign NATO secret services are behind it.”
Putin hinted heavily that he agreed with this last theory.
He told journalists: “Who killed that man? You know who did it.”
Russian ambassador Andrei Karlov was gunned down at an art gallery in Ankara last week.
Related stories
Gunman Mevlüt Mert Altintas – an off-duty policeman – shouted: “God is great” and “Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria.”
He died after a 15-minute shootout with police, who went on to call the killing an act of terror.
His motivations have remained unclear, partly due to a media blackout imposed by the Turkish government in the wake of the attack.
Turkish President Erdogan has claimed Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen – the man he blames for the recent failed coup attempt against his government – was behind the killing.
But Gulen said he had no connection to the assassination and he strongly condemned the killing, according to an official who advises Gulen on media issues.
And Putin now seems to be echoing ultranationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky who blamed the UK for the killing.
He said: “The West is trying to embroil us. All conflicts were inspired by Britain.
“This is done deliberately to frustrate Erdogan’s visit. For sure sure, now, the visit will be postponed.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368