Arrest Made in Connection with Murder of Russian Ambassador Karlov in Istanbul

An important figure involved in the murder of Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov has been arrested in Istanbul. This information comes from RIA Novosti.

Turkish media report that a suspect described as a 'key defendant' in the case of the assassination of the former Russian ambassador in Ankara has been detained during an operation in Istanbul.

Karlov was murdered on December 19, 2016, during the opening of a photography exhibition in Ankara. The attack was carried out by police officer Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, who was neutralized by security forces.

The media, citing their sources, reported that the Istanbul police apprehended a 'key defendant' from the Beylikdüzü operation related to the assassination of Ambassador Andrei Karlov.

In turn, A Haber television has claimed that the arrested individual is a woman, who is the wife of one of the Russian diplomats involved in the murder.

A total of 28 suspects have been charged with organizing the murder of the ambassador, including religious figure Fethullah Gülen, who resides in the United States and has denied the allegations.

In March, an Ankara court issued a ruling in the case of Karlov's murder. Five defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, while eight individuals received sentences ranging from three years and nine months to 15 years in prison. Another six were acquitted. Nine more defendants, including Gülen, remain at large and have had their cases separated by the prosecutor's request.