Former Turkish footballer arrested in Germany for links to Mocro gang

Former Turkish footballer Alim Aykut Esgi has been arrested in Germany for allegedly aiding the notorious Mocro gang, with claims that he played a role in 11 bomb attacks and the abduction of three people.

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Big picture

• The Mocro gang, considered one of Europe’s most dangerous drug cartels, suffered a major loss in June when 1.5 million euros ($1.58 million) worth of cannabis was stolen from a warehouse in Cologne.

• Following the theft, the gang launched a wave of bomb attacks across North Rhine-Westphalia, targeting rival groups and suspected culprits. Over 12 weeks, 11 attacks left one person dead and five injured, sparking a nationwide crackdown on organized crime.

Why it matters

• Esgi, 25, is accused of a direct role in these acts, including participating in the July abduction and torture of two individuals linked to a rival gang.
• His alleged involvement reflects the growing nexus between organized crime and figures from unexpected sectors, such as sports.

Driving the news

• Authorities say Esgi was a close associate of Sermet A., the Cologne leader of the Mocro gang. In July, the duo allegedly kidnapped the brother and wife of a rival gang member, holding them in a villa and torturing them.
• Police raided the villa days later, rescuing the victims in critical condition and arresting six suspects.

Zoom out

• Esgi’s football career included stints at Turkish clubs like Akhisarspor, Karagumruk, and Bayrampasa. He last played professionally in 2018.
• Sermet A. was arrested in Paris in October while attempting to flee to Dubai.
• Subsequent raids led to Esgi’s arrest last Friday in Cologne, alongside another suspect accused of managing the gang’s finances.

What’s next

Esgi and his associates face serious charges as authorities escalate their fight against organized crime in Germany. The shocking case underscores the transnational reach of European crime syndicates and their readiness to use violence to protect their interests.