Turks living in France hire gunmen to kill business associate in Türkiye

Turkish authorities have arrested nine people in connection with a coordinated attack on a 60-year-old contractor, revealing a complex revenge plot that spans two countries and involves allegations of sexual assault, hired gunmen, and family vengeance.

The shooting, which occurred in Bursa’s Osmangazi district, targeted Idris A., who was wounded in the legs outside his home. Investigators say the attack was orchestrated by his relative Kamil A., 57, a construction contractor living in France, who allegedly paid 60,000 euros to have Idris attacked.

According to police reports, the plot stemmed from allegations that Idris and his son Caglar, 36, had sexually assaulted Kamil’s daughter Aysel, 29, eight years ago. Kamil reportedly learned of the alleged assault from his Tunisian son-in-law, Tufik T.

Down payment of 45,000 euros for eight hitmen

The investigation revealed a chain of middlemen. Initial contractors Ragip S., Nihat S., and Firat G. received 45,000 euros as a down payment in Lyon, France. They subsequently outsourced the job to eight hitmen for 600,000 Turkish lira, effectively creating a three-tier criminal enterprise.

“The suspects fired two shots at the victim’s door before fleeing,” said a spokesperson for the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, describing one of several attempts on Idris’s life. The attackers also shot at his car days before the successful assault.

The case took an additional turn when Kamil’s wife Gulizar, 52, and son Omer, 24, flew from France to Istanbul to deliver the final 15,000-euro payment. Both were arrested in an Istanbul hotel along with other suspects.

French, Turkish law enforcement collaborate

Among those detained, five were released under judicial supervision, while nine suspects, including Gulizar and Omer, face charges including assault, solicitation of crime, property damage, and endangering public safety. Turkish authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Kamil A. in France on charges of criminal solicitation.

Idris A., who is recovering in a hospital, claims the attack was related to a business dispute, stating in his testimony that Aysel’s husband had threatened him over alleged debts from their construction business in France.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work with French law enforcement to pursue additional suspects.