Security tightened at Turkey’s missions in Russia

ANKARA

AFP Photo

Security has been tightened at Turkey’s diplomatic missions in Russia following the Dec. 19 assassination of Russia’s ambassador in Ankara, the Russian Interior Ministry has stated.      
  
“The police stepped up security at Turkey’s diplomatic missions in the Russian Federation,” ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk was quoted as saying by the official TASS news agency.        

Volk said Turkey’s embassy in Moscow and consulates in Russian cities are now under “round-the-clock” protection.        

Newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to Russia Hüseyin Diriöz said on Twitter that he was “deeply” saddened by the loss of life in “despicable” attack on Dec. 19.

“I strongly condemn this provocative attack,” Diriöz said, adding that Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov was an “exceptional” person who was helping to promote friendly relations between Turkey and Russia.      
  
Diriöz said Ankara would not let the “heinous” attack cast a shadow over the friendship between the two nations.