| Assassination of Daniş Tunalıgil | |
|---|---|
Turkish Embassy in Vienna |
|
| Location | Embassy of Republic of Turkey, Vienna, Austria |
| Date | October 22, 1975[1] 12:00 p.m. (GMT+1) |
| Target | Daniş Tunalıgil |
| Attack type | ambush |
| Deaths | 1 killed[1] |
| Perpetrator(s) | 3 unknown Armenian terrorists[1] |
The assassination of Daniş Tunalıgil, Turkish diplomat and ambassador to Austria took place on 22 October 1975. He was murdered by Justice Commandos Against Armenian Genocide (JCAG), an Armenian terrorist group accusing the Turkish government of genocide against Armenians.[2][1]
Contents |
Turkish Airlines office bombing in Beirut on February 20, 1975 claimed by Armenian terrorist organization ASALA was the first terrorist act against the Turkish civilians. The group warned about future terror acts against Turkey, Iran and United States as an act of fighting against the imperialists. By October 1975, Daniş Tunalıgil, a 60 year old veteran diplomat, has served as an ambassador of Republic of Turkey to Austria for 9 years.[3]
At noon, on 22 October 1975, three gunmen bearing automatic weapons ambushed the Turkish Embassy in Vienna, neutralizing the security guards and entering the Ambassador's office. Once face to face with the ambassador, the terrorists asked if he was the Turkish ambassador. Receiving an affirmative answer, they shot him with British and Israeli made submachine guns.[3] Tunaligil died on the spot and the murderers quickly left the scene by an automobile.[4]
The attack was followed by another planned terrorist act against the ambassador of Turkey to France, Ismail Erez on October 24, 1975 killing him and his chauffeur.[5]
The 3 terrorists were never identified and caught[6][7] It was the first assassination perpetrated by JCAG and in until 1984, it would claims lives of 20 Turkish diplomats and members of their immediate families.[8]