Gang of 11 arrested in Kyrenia for stabbing an attempted murder

An individual who was arrested in Girne on Sunday in connection with a stabbing incident along with ten others were remanded in police custody.

The suspect, Ö.K was arrested and brought to court on Monday on charges of 'attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm, and illegal possession of a knife.'

Other suspect; A.O.C, O.S, O.Z.K, B.E, A.G.A, O.S.G, M.Ş, İ.B, M.M.C, and B.C.A who are Turkish nationals were charged with 'unlawful assembly'.

The police officer who testified against the suspect in court said Ö.K, on Saturday January 18, 2025, at around 5:00 AM, in Girne, in front of a named apartment building on Raif Denktaş Street, stabbed one Cem Sapmaz in the right abdominal area with a knife he was carrying illegally (the exact knife has not yet been identified) with the intention to kill him. The incident followed a dispute earlier that night at a nightclub called 'Cheetah.' This act caused severe injuries and constituted an attempted murder.

Cem Sapmaz was first taken to Girne Akçiçek Hospital and then transferred to Lefkoşa Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital, where he was diagnosed with internal bleeding and placed in intensive care in critical condition.

The police stated that the suspect, who fled the scene by taxi, was arrested later that night. The officer explained that the incident involved two large groups, and the suspects A.O.C, O.S, O.Z.K, and B.E, had unlawfully gathered with A.G.A, O.S.G, M.Ş, İ.B, M.M.C, and B.C.A to fight, forming an unlawful assembly.

The police noted that the attempted murder occurred during this fight.

The investigation revealed that, after the dispute in the nightclub, the parties challenged each other to a duel.

The police stated that in his testimony, Ö.K claimed that not only he but several others also had knives on them, and this is being investigated.

The officer added that Ö.K, after fleeing the scene by taxi, visited 3-4 places and made phone calls during this time, and they are investigating whom he contacted.

The officer explained that multiple witness statements have been collected and security camera footage has been identified. Further statements need to be taken, additional footage examined, and the knife used in the attempted murder is still being sought. Therefore, they requested that the suspects remain in custody for two more days.

Speaking in court, the suspect O.S claimed, 'When Ö.K took out the knife, I warned the other side, saying, "He has a knife, don’t come closer."' O.Z stated that he was not at the scene, but the police clarified that he was present at the start of the incident and fled when the attempted murder occurred.

The judge noting that the investigation is ongoing, ordered that the suspects remain in police custody for an additional two days."