Uluhan Auto Gallery Shooting: Suspects Remanded For A Further Seven Days

Presenting the facts in court, police officer Emrah Turgal said the suspects were arrested in connection with charges including attempted murder with intent, grievous bodily harm, wounding, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of explosives, discharging a firearm in a residential area, and causing wilful damage.

Police said that on 6 January, at around 10.00, a shooting attack was carried out at Uluhan Auto Gallery, which operates in the Küçük Kaymaklı area of Nicosia. The suspect allegedly fired five shots, injuring Hidayet Duran and Eyüp Bilgi, who were inside the gallery at the time. Duran was shot in the left ankle and hip, while Bilgi was shot in the right leg. Police said vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

The suspect was located and arrested in Nicosia on the same day, police said, adding that two handguns and 15 live rounds of ammunition were found in his possession. Police told the court that the suspect gave an incriminating statement and that video footage belonging to Akdağ was found on his mobile phone. In his statement, A.K. reportedly said that he was instigated by Akdağ. Police said Akdağ was located and arrested in Famagusta on 7 January.

Police further told the court that searches were carried out at Akdağ’s residence in Famagusta and at an office he does not actively use. A computer, which the suspect A.K. claimed contained video footage found online and stored on his mobile phone, was seized as evidence. Blood and fingerprint samples were taken from both suspects. Police said A.K.’s mobile phone had been sent to the data analysis unit and that the scope of the investigation could change depending on the results of the report.

Stating that the investigation is ongoing, police said further statements need to be taken, CCTV footage examined and phone records analysed, requesting an additional seven days of detention.

Public prosecutor Berhat Mavioğlu said numerous camera recordings from both before and after the incident need to be collected and reviewed, while digital data examinations are continuing. He requested that both suspects be remanded in police custody for a further seven days to allow the investigation to proceed effectively.

While the defence lawyers did not object to the request for additional time, they questioned the police and raised several claims.

The lawyer representing suspect A.K. argued that his client carried out the act because his family had been threatened, that he shot the victims in the legs, and therefore had no intent to kill. Police told the court that A.K. stated he carried out the attack both because his family was threatened and in return for money. The defence insisted the act was committed due to threats rather than financial gain, claiming the individuals who threatened the family were based in Turkey. Police said the suspect did not provide location details in his statement, but claimed that the person who threatened him was Akdağ.

Akdağ’s lawyer asked whether there was concrete evidence of contact between his client and A.K. Police said the investigation is ongoing and that there is currently no concrete evidence. The defence claimed that Akdağ does not know either A.K. or his family.

After evaluating the testimony presented before him, Judge Şevket Gazi ordered that both suspects be remanded in custody for a further seven days.