Organizer of Double Murder on Northern Cyprus Caught in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the alleged mastermind behind a double murder committed in Northern Cyprus in 2022 has been apprehended. The suspect appeared in court in The Hague and will be extradited to Turkey.

According to a statement from the Dutch police, the man suspected of orchestrating the double murder in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was captured earlier this week during an operation in the city of Zoetermeer near The Hague. The arrest was made at the request of the Turkish police.

The man is considered a suspect in connection with an armed attack that occurred on February 8, 2022, resulting in the deaths of businessman Halil Falyali and his driver Murat Demirtash. The incident took place in Chatalkoy, as reported by the TRNC police press service. Halil Falyali's vehicle was shot at with automatic weapons. The businessman sustained 16 gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. His driver, Murat Demirtash, died at the scene.

Earlier, six individuals, including brothers Mehmet Faysal Soylemez and Mustafa Soylemez, were detained on suspicion of involvement in the murder. In the case heard by the 36th High Criminal Court of Istanbul, both brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment for "intentional murder" and "forming a criminal organization to commit a crime."

Three other suspects were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 33 to 46 years.

The trial of the fugitive defendant, Cemil Onal, has been separated into a distinct proceeding and postponed.

It is also reported that the slain entrepreneur Halil Falyali "played a central role in drug trafficking in Cyprus" and was linked to illegal gambling business. He was released from prison approximately a month before the murder.