Security tightened at Turkey's missions in Russia

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Security has been tightened at Turkey's diplomatic missions in Russia following Monday’s shock assassination of Russia’s ambassador in Ankara, said the Russian Interior Ministry.

"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 Huseyin Dirioz said on Twitter that he was "deeply" saddened by the loss of life in yesterday’s "despicable" attack.

"I strongly condemn this provocative attack," Dirioz said, adding that Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov was an "exceptional" person who was helping to promote friendly relations between Turkey and Russia.

Dirioz said Turkey would not let the "heinous" attack cast a shadow over the friendship between the two nations.