Alleged hit men and accomplices remanded in custody over plot to shoot a businessman in north Cyprus

Two men accused of entering north Cyprus to carry out a contract killing, along with two alleged accomplices who provided them with a firearm, were arrest on Friday in Lefkosa.

The suspects — Alper Yıldırım and Muhammed Ali Kalan, described by police as the would-be gunmen, and Mutlu Töre and Kadir Kıcık, accused of supplying the weapon — were brough before a court in Lefkosa on Saturday. 

According to police testimony presented in court, officers from the Crime Prevention Unit and the Lefkoşa Criminal Investigation Department intercepted Yıldırım and Kalan on August 29, 2025, around 6:00 p.m. during an operation based on intelligence received.

A search of the suspects uncovered a 7.65mm pistol without brand or serial number, along with a magazine containing five live rounds, found in Yıldırım’s possession. Both men were arrested on the spot.

During questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted that the firearm had been collected from Sütlüce village cemetery, after being guided to the location via a video and GPS coordinates. Investigators later determined that Töre and Kıcık had hidden the weapon there on August 26, 2025, before it was retrieved by Yıldırım and Kalan.

Police stated that although Töre and Kıcık initially denied visiting the cemetery, surveillance evidence confirmed their presence at the location on the date in question. Both were subsequently arrested.

Prosecutor Hasan Boşnak questioned the police regarding the statements of the suspects. Officers confirmed that Yıldırım and Kalan had provided confessional testimonies, admitting they entered the country on tourist visas to assassinate a local businessman. Yıldırım was allegedly designated as the shooter, while Kalan acted as the lookout.

Police further revealed that the pistol had been concealed under a Pepsi bottle in line with instructions sent to Kalan’s phone.

Police stressed the seriousness of the case, noting that additional suspects are still being sought. They argued that the complexity of the investigation, along with the need to obtain further statements, made it necessary for all four defendants to remain in custody.

While Yıldırım and Kalan remained silent in court, Töre and Kıcık’s defense counsel denied their involvement in placing the firearm in the cemetery. However, police confirmed the existence of camera footage placing them at the scene.

The judge ordered that all four suspects remain in detention for an additional three days pending further investigation.