Appearing overnight in growing numbers in recent years – Reports of shootings and threats from gang members tied to “mafia groups” based in Turkey
According to Özgür Gazete, there has been a rapid increase in car dealerships in the occupied areas, which, as the paper puts it, “are popping up like mushrooms.” The report highlights that gangs and mafia groups based in Turkey are threatening these dealerships, whose numbers have surged in recent years and now exceed 1,500.
Shootings at dealerships – Silence from the “authorities”
The newspaper states that there have been many incidents involving gunfire at car dealerships and points out that the car sales sector—alongside real estate—is one of the most prominent in discussions on money laundering.
Talks about money laundering linked to these rapidly multiplying dealerships have continued in the occupied areas. However, aside from a few politicians who have spoken out, the “police” and the “government” under Ankara’s control have not launched any investigations or taken action, Özgür Gazete notes.
Threats from gangs tied to “mafia groups”
The paper reports that new dealerships continue to open daily in the occupied territories, with vehicles worth millions of lira being sold. It adds:
“Gangs belonging to certain mafia groups, known to be based in Turkey—though we cannot disclose their names for safety reasons—are now blackmailing the owners of these dealerships, threatening them and demanding their ‘shares’.
The owners, who contacted our newspaper and whose names and documents we cannot reveal for security reasons, say they are openly being extorted by these gangs.
The threatening messages they received clearly mark the dealership locations and the personal residences of their owners on maps, with screenshots sent and messages saying, ‘we know you live here’. […]
While it has become evident that these gangs have surrounded Kyrenia, it is likely we’ll see more shootings and unsolved murders before long. Nonetheless, those who should be taking action remain silent and continue to watch from the sidelines.”
Also read: Report on the Tax Department shows positive signs
Source: Economy Today
