Lavrov lauds high professional, human qualities of Ambassador Karlov
MOSCOW. Dec 22 (Interfax) - The high professional and human qualities of Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov, who was murdered in Turkey, were lauded at the funeral service taking place in the main building of the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
"President Vladimir Putin has pointed to his remarkable human qualities, his contribution to solving key problems in our relations. The Hero of Russia title was posthumously awarded to Andrei Karlov at the president's decision. Following the president's orders, we have arranged a funeral ceremony for Andrei Gennadyevich. Most importantly, Andrei will always be remembered; we will never forget him," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during the funeral service for the deceased diplomat.
The minister pointed to Karlov's "high professionalism and human qualities."
For his part, MGIMO University Rector Anatoly Torkunov said he hoped that every culprit behind Karlov's murder would be punished.
Russian Ambassador to Turkey Karlov was attacked at the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition in Ankara on Monday. According to the Turkish Interior Ministry, the gunman was Turkish police officer Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22. He shot and killed Karlov and explained his actions as motivated by his discontent with Russia's policy in Syria. Another two persons suffered injuries during the attack. The gunman was killed by Turkish special operations officers.
Arab media outlets said that the Jaysh al-Fateh coalition of Syrian fighters who fought governmental forces in Aleppo claimed responsibility for the murder. The coalition includes the al-Nusra Front and extremists from Ahrar ash-Sham (both are banned in Russia).