Two Armenian gunmen assassinate Turkish Consul General, Sarik Ariyak, and his security guard, Engin Sever, as the Turkish officials are walking toward their vehicle. Ariyak dies instantly and the security guard dies on the way to the hospital. A spokesperson for the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states, "We deplore this violent and criminal incident and hope those responsible are brought to justice." A statement by the U.S. Department of State referred to the killings as "brutal murders" and added, "The inviolability of diplomatic and consular personnel and their premises is fundamental to the conduct of foreign relations, and to the maintenance of international order. We condemn all acts of violence and we hope the guilty parties will soon be brought to justice." JCAG claims responsibility, stating the killings were "in retaliation for the injustices done to Armenians by the Turks in 1915." No arrests were ever made.

 

ATAA condemns these acts of violence against innocent individuals and remembers these tragedies with great sorrow.