Northern Cyprus becomes a foothold for hired killers

The Ministry of Interior of Northern Cyprus regularly announces its successes in migration control. However, police statistics show the opposite: in the first nine months of 2025 alone, at least nine hired killers were brought to the northern part of the island, most of whom arrived from Turkey.

According to law enforcement, seven accomplices who provided weapons or other support were also detained along with the perpetrators. So far, the clients who ordered the crimes have not been identified or brought to justice.

Methods and features of the crimes

Most of those detained are young people aged 20 to 30. The primary weapons they used were 7.65 and 9 mm pistols. Often, weapons and ammunition were delivered to the island in advance, and the perpetrators received instructions on their location via photos and geolocation. These facts indicate a carefully organized scheme involving external structures.

Chronology of incidents

February 2025.

On February 22 in Nicosia, 25-year-old M.L., arriving from Istanbul, shot entrepreneur Ahmet Keskin in the leg. Upon arrest, he was found with a pistol with a serial number and eight bullets, as well as clothing and headwear matching surveillance camera records. Later, 30-year-old M.E., who supplied him with the weapon, was detained. According to investigation materials, he originally received the assignment but, refusing, passed it to M.L.

April 2025.

In Nicosia, police conducted a tip-off operation: I.B. was detained in a hotel room with a 7.65 mm Browning pistol, a magazine, and nine bullets. On the same day in Kyrenia, unknown individuals fired at the windows of the Kulis Live nightclub. Five people were detained on suspicion of involvement; shell casings and bullets were seized during the search.

May 2025.

In Chatalköy, 21-year-old G.M. received a contract to kill for 250,000 Turkish lira and opened fire at a house. In Alansak, 20-year-old E.B. fired three times at a residential house for a contract worth 600,000 lira. He was detained while attempting to flee.

August 2025.

In Karokum, a gallery was shot at. B.A. and M.K. were detained; police reported they were under the influence of drugs and had previously been involved in other shootings. A few days later in Nicosia, A.Y. and M.A.K., along with their accomplices, were arrested. They received unmarked weapons and ammunition following map and photo instructions: the pistol had been hidden in the cemetery of the village of Sütlüce.

September 2025.

On September 19 in Nicosia, 21-year-old O.G., arriving from Istanbul to assassinate a businessman, was detained. A 7.65 mm Beretta pistol, a magazine, and seven bullets were confiscated. He admitted that he picked up the weapon following the map and photos provided by the client.

Problems and public response

In just nine months, nine cases of imported killers were recorded. Despite the arrests of the perpetrators and their accomplices, the organizers remain unpunished. This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.

Critics note that despite official claims of “strict migration control,” Northern Cyprus is increasingly becoming a foothold for organized crime. The lack of action against the clients only heightens concern and distrust of the system.

Experts and civic organizations call for stricter border controls, more rigorous inspections, and increased transparency in police and law enforcement operations. Otherwise, they warn, the security threat on the island will only grow.