Turkish Police Thwart Alleged Assassination Plot Against Fenerbahce Fan Leader
Turkish police arrested five suspects in Istanbul over an alleged plot to assassinate Fenerbahce ultra leader Cem Golbasi. Authorities linked the suspects to the Daltonlar criminal network and seized high-powered firearms during raids.
Turkish police have arrested five suspects in Istanbul over an alleged plot to assassinate Cem Golbasi, the leader of Fenerbahce's GFB ultra fan group. According to local media reports, the suspects are allegedly linked to a criminal organization known as the "Daltonlar" and traveled to Istanbul from various Turkish cities to carry out an armed attack against the prominent fan leader.
Investigation and Police Raids
According to details released by the Turkish state-run news agency DHA, the suspects conducted a reconnaissance mission around the Fenerbahce stadium on October 27 as part of their preparations. Investigators stated that the group initially planned to execute the strike at that time but abandoned the attempt because conditions on the ground were unfavorable.
The police operation was conducted in coordination with the Organized Crime Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutors stated that the plot was allegedly ordered by Yusuf Can Gungor, known as "The Baron," who is reportedly affiliated with the Daltonlar criminal network.
During the sweep, authorities tracked suspects who had arrived in Istanbul from Gaziantep and Adana, subsequently raiding a safehouse in the Esenyurt district. Four suspects were initially detained, followed by the arrest of a fifth suspect believed to have been responsible for supplying the firearms intended for the hit.
Weapons Seized and Past Violence
During searches of the safehouse, police recovered a long-barreled rifle, two handguns, two extended magazines, and 200 rounds of ammunition.
This security breach is not the first time Golbasi has been targeted. According to a DHA investigation published last August, the fan leader was previously targeted in an August 2023 attack in Istanbul's Bagcilar district. Turkish investigators indicated that the previous plot was orchestrated by Ferhat Delen, leader of the "Redkilerciler" gang, who allegedly sought to seize control of Fenerbahce's fan leadership.
In January 2024, another armed attack targeted Ibrahim Gumustkin, leader of a rival Fenerbahce fan faction, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Sukru Can Kosaoglu. Reports based on indictments revealed that the same Kalashnikov rifle was used in both previous attacks against the fan leaders.
Gang Rivalries and Tribunes
Turkish media reports indicate that the Redkilerciler gang has been heavily involved in violent turf wars for control over the Fenerbahce stands, leading to indictments against 57 individuals. Gang leader Ferhat Delen was arrested in Georgia and extradited to Turkey in August.
While Turkish media has previously documented violent rivalries between the Redkilerciler gang and the Daltonlar organization, authorities have not yet established a direct link between previous attacks and the latest plot against Golbasi. Nevertheless, the recent arrests and weapons seizures underscore the persistent nexus between organized crime syndicates and violent power struggles within Turkish football fan clubs.
