An image of the assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, has taken first prize in the 2017 World Press Photo awards.
Photographer Burhan Ozbilici (R) won first prize at the annual World Press Photo awards for his image depicting the assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov. Photo: AFP
Taken on 19 December 2016 at an art gallery in Ankara by Associated Press photographer Burhan Ozbilici, it shows gun-wielding off-duty Turkish policeman Mevlut Mert Altintas shouting, after fatally shooting the ambassador.
The jury chair, Stuart Franklin, praised Ozbilici's image. "I think it is an incredibly hard-hitting news photograph, great spot news story. It wasn't just a photograph, it was a spot news story and I think that Burhan was incredibly courageous and had extraordinary composure in being able to sort of calm himself down in the middle of the affray and take the commanding pictures that he took."
Ozbilici also triumphed in the Spot News, Stories, award for his series on the event, titled An Assassination in Turkey.
The World Press Photo awards have been running since 1955. This year, the jury awarded prizes in eight categories to 45 photographers from 25 countries.
The full gallery of winners can be found on the World Press Photo website.
- BBC
