Italian prosecutor reveals dark plans of Turkish mafia boss

On September 9, 2022, Jovan Vukotic, the leader of the Skaljara, a notorious Serbian mafia group, was gunned down by an assassination squad while traveling in Istanbul with his wife and child. The attack was a  culmination of years of violence between rival Serbian mafia factions.

The seeds of this bloody feud were sown in 2014 when Spanish authorities seized 300 kilos of drugs. The Kavac organization, another Serbian mafia, blamed the Skaljara for the loss. Retaliation followed swiftly, with Kavac launching several assassination attempts on Vukotic. The most audacious effort came when poison was found in Vukotic’s prison food while he was incarcerated in Serbia. Though the attempt failed, it led to the dismissal of 100 public servants for their involvement in the conspiracy.

Vukotic, who had dodged death several times, was finally targeted by the Daltonlar, a rising Turkish mafia group hired by the Kavac. The Daltons have introduced the violent tactics of Latin American mafias to Türkiye, using motorcycle assassination squads to eliminate their enemies. Allegedly, they received $1.5 million for the execution of Vukotic.

Aftermath of Vukotic’s death

The death of Jovan Vukotic triggered a brutal wave of retribution. Just two days after his assassination, six men loyal to Baris Boyun, the Daltonlar’s leader, were executed in Greece. The violence did not stop there. On September 18, 2022, Edip Yalcin, another close associate of Boyun, was murdered in Georgia. Meanwhile, Boyun himself, wanted by Interpol, was arrested by Italian police. The subsequent indictment revealed terrifying plans, including a failed plot to bomb one of Istanbul’s most prestigious shopping malls.

Mafia showdown: Bomb threat at iconic Istanbul mall

Baris Boyun’s plans extended beyond cross-border killings. According to the Italian indictment, Boyun had been plotting to bomb Vadi Istanbul, a luxury shopping center in Türkiye. The reason behind this audacious plan? Vadi Istanbul was allegedly under the protection of the Saral mafia, one of Türkiye’s largest criminal organizations.

The Saral and Sahin mafia groups have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2004, a feud that began over a financial dispute and escalated after the killing of Saral leader Huseyin Saral in 2005. In retaliation, the Sarals murdered Vedat Sahin, the brother of Sahin leader, Sedat Sahin. The feud has since claimed numerous lives, with smaller mafia groups taking sides.

Drug factories and arms deals: Baris Boyun’s expanding empire

As revealed by the Italian prosecutor, Boyun was not just focused on domestic operations. He had reportedly set up an ecstasy factory in Bulgaria and was involved in arms trafficking across Europe. His arsenal allegedly included machine guns, M16s, Uzi submachine guns, and Glock pistols, with storage facilities in Switzerland. “He can arm and equip his men for any need anywhere in Europe, even in Türkiye,” stated the Milan prosecutor’s office, emphasizing Boyun’s far-reaching power.

He is also close to popular mafia leader Sedat Peker

The Italian indictment also highlighted Boyun’s connection to Sedat Peker, one of Türkiye’s most infamous mafia leaders. Peker, who gained widespread attention through his YouTube videos accusing government officials of corruption, reportedly maintained a close relationship with Boyun. In one recorded conversation, Boyun reassured his associate Ibrahim Gumustekin, stating, “We are friends with Sedat Peker; everyone who has a grudge against us is united, we are united too.”

Boyun even claimed that during his detention in Italy, Peker had arranged for an Italian lawyer to represent him.

Two rival mafia groups: Daltons vs Redkits

The Daltons, aligned with Baris Boyun, have also found themselves entangled in a turf war with another Turkish mafia group, the Redkits. The conflict centers around control of the tribunes of Fenerbahce, one of Türkiye’s biggest football clubs. Cem Golbasi, supported by the Daltons, faces off against Ferhat Mardin, the leader of the Redkits, in a battle that has spilled over into Georgia.

This ongoing power struggle serves as a reminder of how deep mafia rivalries have penetrated Turkish society, extending from the criminal underworld into the world of football, politics, and beyond.