Turkey: Belarusian diplomat shot and wounded by neighbour

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkish officials say a diplomat from Belarus was shot by a neighbour who later committed suicide. The incident did not appear to be politically motivated.

Ankara Gov. Vasip Sahin says diplomat Alexander Poganshev was taken to a hospital to undergo surgery after being attacked by a retired military officer in the Turkish capital Wednesday. He says the shooting arose from a personal dispute between the two.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters after visiting the hospital that the diplomat was doing well after surgery and was expected to leave the intensive care unit Thursday.

Cavusoglu said: “It was the result of a dispute, not a political development.”

He said he discussed the incident with his Belarusian counterpart, adding that an investigation has been launched.