Ankara renames art center hall after assassinated Russian Ambassador

Photo: AP Photo/ Burhan Ozbilici

Ankara’s Cagdas Sanat Merkezi modern arts center exhibition hall where Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov was killed has been named after the diplomat, local media reported on Thursday, Sputnik reports.

Karlov was shot dead by off-duty police officer Mevlut Mert Altintas at the opening of an art gallery exhibition at the Cagdas Sanat Merkezi center in the heart of Ankara. The gunman was killed at the scene by the police.

“Terrorism is a crime against humanity. We condemn terrorists, who have no nationality or religion. This hall will always hold the memory of Karlov,” Ankara’s central Cankaya municipality Mayor Alper Tasdelen was quoted as saying by the Anadolu news agency commenting on the decision.

On Monday, Ankara authorities decided to rename the street where the Russian embassy is located after Karlov as well.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS