Suspect in London’s Tanrıkulu Murder Caught in TRNC

Following consultations between British and TRNC police, it was decided that Topaloğulları would stand trial in the TRNC. The suspect appeared in court yesterday.

Inspector Ömer Faruk Şengil testified that the suspect is linked to the September 3, 2018, murder, involving the illegal possession of firearms and explosives at Tottenham Cemetery in the UK. Correspondence in October 2023 established that the case could proceed in the TRNC. A team traveled to the UK from November 20–27, 2024, to gather necessary evidence.

Police revealed that the suspect and two accomplices went to the cemetery on September 3, 2018, at around 7:45 AM. Topaloğulları allegedly shot Tanrıkulu in the arm with a 7.65 mm pistol, with the bullet entering his abdomen and causing fatal internal bleeding. After the incident, the two accomplices reportedly altered their appearance and hid for two days.

Topaloğulları left the UK via Stansted Airport on September 5, 2018, at 12:05 AM, traveling to Istanbul before arriving in the TRNC on September 6, 2018. Despite being born in London, he has not returned to the UK and has remained in the TRNC.

The suspect was sentenced to five years in prison on December 27, 2023, for robbery, burglary, and criminal damage in the TRNC and is currently serving his sentence.

Police have now requested that the suspect be remanded for up to three months for the murder investigation. His lawyer did not contest the request but denied the murder charges.

Judge Nuray Necdet approved the request, ordering the suspect to remain in custody for three months.