2 taxi drivers arrested for north Cyprus Nightclub armed attack

Two taxi drivers who were said to have driven a man wanted for shooting at a night club in north Cyprus were arrested in connection with the armed attack.

Turkish Cypriot taxi drivers OK and MT suspected in connection with the armed attack on the nightclub named "Prenses" operating in the Alayköy area, were arrested on charges of "Unlawful possession and carrying of firearms," "Unlawful possession and carrying of explosives," and "Discharging a firearm in a residential area." 

They were brought before the Lefkoşa District Court on Tuesday December 24.

Police officer who presented the facts in court, stated that four shots were fired at the main entrance of the nightclub on December 22, 2024, around 8:00 PM. During the investigation launched after the incident, three empty 9mm shell casings were found approximately 60 meters from the scene and taken as evidence.

The police revealed that a Glock-brand firearm, two live 9mm bullets, a magazine, and seven live 9mm bullets branded MKE were discovered buried in the ground 500 meters ahead of the crime scene. Additionally, a green jacket was found 700 meters from the scene and taken as evidence.

As part of the investigation, the police determined the tracks of the attacker on December 23 by following traces in the area. Security camera footage revealed that the suspect got into a vehicle and went to the airport. The vehicle's driver, MT, was located and arrested in Gönyeli. The police stated that in his testimony, MT said OK had called him to pick up a customer and that he had taken the said individual to the airport.

The police further stated that OK was also identified and arrested. In his statement, OK claimed that on December 22, around 4:00 PM, an individual flagged down his taxi in front of the İmparator Nightclub. He said he first took the person to the hotel in Girne where they were staying, and later, after receiving a phone call, he drove the individual to the Prenses Nightclub.

The police noted that the investigation is ongoing, and they are looking into whether the suspects were involved in the attack. Camera footage from the airport and the vicinity of the crime scene will also be examined. They requested that the suspects remain in custody for 3 days.