Assassin of Russian envoy belonged to FETO

"Where he grew up, and all connections reveal this (FETO membership)."

Erdogan said that the assassin's international links were investigated by Turkish National Intelligence Service (MIT).

Russia’s ambassador to Turkey was shot dead by an assailant on Monday evening as he addressed the opening ceremony of an art exhibition in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Karlov was seriously wounded and immediately taken to Guven Hospital in the capital’s Cankaya district, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police shot dead the murderer -- a 22-year-old Turkish riot police officer named Mevlut Mert Altintas -- in an operation that lasted around 15 minutes.

A total of 12 suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the assassination.

According to a diplomatic source, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry late Tuesday that Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) was behind Karlov's assassination.