Greek police intervene in Turkish mafia showdown: High-profile arrest
Emirhan Karademir arrested in Greece, via Onlar Haber
Sedat Sahin is a notorious Turkish mafia boss known for his close ties to Nationalist MHP leader Devlet Bahceli. He leads the “Sahinler” crime organization, which has been embroiled in violent conflicts with other mafia groups, particularly the Sarallar.
Recently, Emirhan Karademir, one of Sahin’s key associates and nephew, was arrested by Greek police on the island of Chios. This event has sparked questions about possible links to a high-profile murder case in Athens, although there are reasons to believe otherwise.
Who is Emirhan Karademir?
Emirhan Karademir, a key member of the Sahinler crime organization, was previously imprisoned in Türkiye on charges related to organized crime. He was released in 2017 after serving time for weapons-related charges, though he later received a two-year sentence for illegal firearm possession in 2020.
Karademir’s arrest in Greece has attracted media attention, with reports from outlets like eKathimerini and To Vima highlighting a police raid on his apartment in Chios. During the raid, authorities seized:
- A handgun and ammunition
- A fake Italian passport and driver’s license
He is now facing charges of illegal weapons possession and document forgery. His luxurious lifestyle abroad, as seen on social media, includes images of him posing with long-barrel firearms. Karademir’s allegiance to Sedat Sahin is also visible – he even has a tattoo of Sahin’s face on his chest.
Investigating links to Athens murders
Greek authorities are also probing Karademir’s potential connection to a mass execution in Athens that claimed the lives of six people, all members of the Dalton gang, a faction once loyal to Baris Boyun. Boyun, a former associate of Sedat Sahin, has been a rival of the Sarallar crime group. However, both Boyun and Sahin share a common enemy in Sarallar, making Karademir’s involvement in the Dalton killings highly unlikely.
The Athens attack, which took place in the Artemida suburb on Sept. 11, 2023, shocked the region. Six Turkish nationals were gunned down in broad daylight, with eyewitnesses reporting that 100-150 bullets were fired. This brutal act has been linked to Baris Boyun’s internal conflicts and a broader mafia war stretching across Europe.
Longstanding feud between Sahinler and Sarallar
The enmity between Sedat Sahin’s Sahinler gang and the Sarallar mafia dates back to 2004, beginning with a financial dispute. It escalated in 2005 when Saral leader Huseyin Saral was killed, and in retaliation, the Sarallar gang assassinated Vedat Sahin, Sedat Sahin’s brother. Since then, both groups have engaged in a violent power struggle, with allies taking sides in this deadly feud.
Baris Boyun, who was arrested in Italy earlier this year, has also been embroiled in this conflict. According to Italian authorities, Boyun maintained close ties to Sedat Sahin, despite their occasional disagreements. Italian prosecutors even revealed a plot by Boyun to bomb the Vadi Istanbul shopping mall, which was allegedly under Sarallar’s protection. This plot showcases how deeply entrenched the rivalry is between these crime groups.
Why Karademir’s involvement in Athens is unlikely?
While Greek authorities continue to investigate possible connections between Karademir and the Dalton gang murders, several factors point to his non-involvement:
- Shared enemies: Both Sahin and Boyun have historically been enemies of the Sarallar mafia, making it unlikely that Karademir would target Boyun’s former associates.
- Lack of evidence: As of now, there has been no formal connection established between Karademir and the Dalton gang, according to Greek police.
Mafia wars across Europe
The mafia landscape in Türkiye and Europe has become increasingly volatile, with factions like Sahinler, Sarallar, and Boyun’s Dalton gang vying for power and control. Drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and revenge killings have plagued not just Türkiye but countries like Italy, France, and Greece, where these organizations have expanded their influence.
Boyun’s arrest in Italy has only added more complexity to this intricate web of mafia alliances and rivalries. The Italian investigation has revealed that Boyun’s influence extends far beyond Turkish borders, with operatives in multiple European countries. Despite his close ties to Sedat Sahin, Boyun’s internal conflict with former allies, like the Dalton gang, has led to a string of killings that have drawn international attention.
As Greek authorities continue their investigation, one thing is certain: the mafia wars are far from over, and the arrest of Emirhan Karademir may only be the beginning of a larger unraveling.
Tensions remain high
Emirhan Karademir’s arrest is just one part of the ongoing mafia feuds that stretch across borders. Although there are still unanswered questions about his involvement in recent killings, the long-standing rivalry between Sahinler and Sarallar remains a focal point in the broader mafia wars. European law enforcement agencies continue to monitor these developments, but as the situation stands, peace remains elusive in the underworld.
