Remand for two more suspects in Falyali killing

A court in the north on Friday ordered six-day remands for two suspects as authorities continued to investigate the gang-style execution of Turkish Cypriot businessman Halil Falyali, who was gunned down earlier in the week.

The well-known businessman’s funeral was held on Thursday in the presence of dozens of mourners as authorities in the north and Istanbul continued to be on high alert.

The two suspects were detained on Thursday and remanded for one and two days on suspicion of trying to flee the country, and on Friday received new six-day remands.

As it stands, they are facing charges of premeditated murder, carrying illegal weapons and explosives, and disturbing the peace by shooting in a residential area.

One of the two has denied any involvement in the attack and has reportedly said he was afraid for his life, but appears to have provided false information in his initial statement.

A third suspect, who was reportedly driving the car used in the attack, was remanded for two days on Wednesday.

According to state broadcaster Cybc’s correspondent in the north, six or seven arrests have been made so far in relation to the case.

Three arrests took place in Istanbul, where the suspects are believed to have fled following the attack, despite strict monitoring at ports and airports in the north.

Turkish paper Sözcü reported that officers investigating the case in the north will soon travel to Istanbul to collaborate with the local authorities on the investigation. DNA samples taken from the crime scene will also be sent to Turkey for analysis.

The three suspects are still being interrogated by the Istanbul police organised crime unit, and Hurriyet has identified one of the three as Mustafa Soylemez, leader of the ‘Soylemez Brothers’, a well-known criminal organisation in Turkey.

Soylemez reportedly had a telephone conversation with Falyali before the attack.

Falyali was being driven home by a chauffeur when men with automatic guns attacked the car he was in. The businessman was shot 18 times in the head and body. He died in hospital despite efforts to save him.

His chauffeur Murat Demirtas was also killed in the attack, and will be buried in Ankara.

Police found 59 shells at the scene of the crime, along with nine bullet fragments, and believe that multiple guns were used in the attack, meaning multiple shooters.

They will also be examining GPS routes as it is believed the perpetrators used multiple rental cars.

Falyali’s family, who were following him in a second car, were not harmed in the attack.

This has given way to speculation, with Yeni Duzen alleging that the attack was related to a ‘settling of debts’, and Halkin Sesi saying this was “the work of professionals”.

Havadis said the attackers must have had inside information as the other three cars in the convoy heading to Falyali’s house were not harmed. It also said that the arrested suspects may have had business ties to Falyali.

A story by CNN Türk spoke of Falyali’s influence in the north, alluding that the murder may have come by competitors. It also said that Falyali must have suspected he was being trailed, which could explain why he chose to travel in a separate car from his family.

The businessman was namechecked by Turkish gang leader Sedat Peker back in May, in one of the videos he posted with revelations about many political figures in Turkey and their alleged shady activities.

Peker in his video had also claimed that Falyali, who owned a casino hotel in Kyrenia, was involved in drug trafficking and money laundering in the north through his businesses in cooperation with Erkan Yildirim, son of former Turkish prime minister between 2016 and 2018, Binali Yıldırım.

Falyali had denied the claims and said he was not involved in any drugs cases and had never met in person with any of these individuals.

Turkish media had also written that over the past few decades, the businessman had amassed powerful connections related to illegal gambling in the north, and had unsuccessfully made a bid to buy Fulham FC in 2004.