15 Facts About Andrei Karlov

Andrei Gennadyevich Karlov was a Russian diplomat who served as the Russian ambassador to Turkey and earlier as the Russian ambassador to North Korea.

Andrei Gennadyevich Karlov was born in Moscow on 4 February 1954 to Gennady Karlov and Maria Alexandrovna.

Andrei Karlov had a sister named Yelena Shirankova who was 6 years younger than him.

In 1968, Karlov's father died at the age of 37 from heart failure when Karlov was 14 years old.

In 1976, Andrei Karlov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

Andrei Karlov was fluent in Korean, and served in different roles in the Soviet embassy in North Korea from 1979 to 1984, and 1986 to 1991.

From 2006 to 2008, Andrei Karlov served as Deputy Director of the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Andrei Karlov was later promoted to director of the department and served from January 2009 until December 2012.

Andrei Karlov was ambassador to Turkey during a tumultuous period between the two countries.

Andrei Karlov blamed Turkey for the crisis, and it was not until June 2016 that diplomatic relations were normalized.

Andrei Karlov is the fourth Russian ambassador to have died in the line of duty since the 1829 murder of Alexander Griboyedov in Tehran.

Zaslon was criticized for lack of proper protection of Ambassador Andrei Karlov following his 19 December 2016 assassination.

In 1975, Andrei Karlov married Marina Mikhailovna and together they had a son Gennady who was born a few years later.

Andrei Karlov was awarded the Order of Seraphim of Sarov, 3rd degree, for his role in establishing a Russian Orthodox Church in Pyongyang while ambassador to North Korea.

The city of Ankara announced that the exhibition hall where Andrei Karlov was assassinated would be renamed in his memory.