Hit Man Jailed For Seven Years Over Plot To Shoot Businessman

The case against Gülbahar, who was arrested in Nicosia in possession of a firearm, was concluded by the Nicosia Assize Court panel consisting of Presiding Judge Füsun Cemaller, Senior Judge Vedia Barkın and Judge Gülay Uğur. The verdict was read by Judge Gülay Uğur.

Before sentencing, the charges brought against the defendant were formally presented in court. After Gülbahar pleaded guilty, prosecutor Hasan Boşnak outlined the facts of the case. The court then gave the defendant the opportunity to speak.

Gülbahar told the court: “Life is difficult in Istanbul. I support my family. I regret what I did. I have never been involved in crime in Turkey.”

Delivering the ruling, the judge said that on 19 September 2025, officers from the Crime Prevention Unit arrested the defendant in the Demirhan area after he was observed acting suspiciously near Betmezoğlu Auto Gallery and Kanal Motors. During a search, police found a black backpack containing a 7.65 mm Beretta pistol and seven rounds of ammunition.

The court noted that the defendant gave two voluntary statements in which he explained how and where he obtained the weapon and ammunition, as well as the reason for his arrival in the TRNC.

In his statement, Gülbahar said: “The reason I came here was to shoot the leg of a man whose name I did not know but whose photograph was sent to me. If I could not find him, I was going to shoot at the gallery. However, the police arrested me before I could do this.”

The judge said this statement clearly demonstrated the defendant’s purpose in coming to the island and the seriousness of the offence. It also showed that he had not abandoned his intention to commit the crime until the moment of his arrest.

The court further noted that one round was chambered in the firearm and that a total of seven rounds of ammunition were found, indicating that the weapon was ready for use, which further aggravated the gravity of the offence.

The judge stressed that the fact the defendant entered the country as a tourist and came in connection with crimes involving firearms — incidents that closely concern the public and cause widespread unease — increased the social impact and seriousness of the offence.

The ruling stated that committing such crimes while present in the country as a tourist and violating public order and security could not be tolerated, particularly at a time when similar crimes were increasing and many people were being threatened or subjected to armed attacks.

As mitigating factors, the court took into account that the defendant had no prior convictions, cooperated with police from the outset, gave voluntary statements, accepted the charges at an early stage, contributed to the swift administration of justice, and had family members dependent on him.

After reviewing all the facts of the case, the defendant’s personal circumstances and the mitigating factors, the court sentenced Ozan Gülbahar to seven years’ imprisonment.