The 'Daltons' dark network in Istanbul: Cell houses are in these two districts!

As the investigation into the death of MHP-affiliated lawyer Serdar Öktem, one of the defendants in the assassination of former Idealist Hearths President Sinan Ateş, continues, new information regarding the incident has emerged. In his column published on Halk TV, journalist İsmail Saymaz shared striking details about the criminal organization known as the "Daltons," which is said to be behind the attack.

ALLEGATION OF "KILLED FOR REVENGE"

According to the information provided by Saymaz, the murder of Serdar Öktem was carried out in retaliation for the killing of Caner Koçer, one of the leaders of the "Daltons," who was murdered in Spain on August 3, 2024.

The journalist stated that this attack has brought the operational methods of the Daltons, who are among the "new generation of criminal organizations," back to the agenda.

CELL HOUSES IN ESENYURT AND BAHÇELİEVLER

Details regarding the organization's structure were also provided. Saymaz stated that the "Daltons" cell houses are mostly located in the Esenyurt and Bahçelievler districts of Istanbul.

It was reported that these houses are generally rented through short-term rental applications like Airbnb, using the names of members with clean criminal records or their relatives.

Saymaz used the phrase, "The Daltons have numerous cell houses in Istanbul."

In the 1,676-page Daltons indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and accepted by the 39th High Criminal Court, it was stated that the leader of the organization is Beratcan Gökdemir, born in 1997 and known by the nickname "Can Dalton."

It was stated that the Daltons, which operated out of Yenibosna, first emerged as a neighborhood gang and then grew after their paths crossed with criminal organization leader Barış Boyun.

It was noted that after Barış Boyun, who made a name for himself on the streets of Beyoğlu, fled to Georgia, he managed his organization from Batumi, and during this process, Beratcan Gökdemir established contact with Boyun.

It was recorded that Gökdemir, whom Boyun took under his wing, was handed control of the organization's armed wing.

The pair's first joint action was the attack carried out in Beyoğlu on April 16, 2022. In the incident, Yüksel Ustahüseyin, a Kasımpaşaspor fan group leader and a rival of Boyun, was killed.

Subsequently, an assassination attempt was carried out against Ferhat Yeşilkaya on February 1, 2023.

KNOWN AS THE MOTORCYCLE GANG

It was stated that the Daltons were involved in numerous armed attacks, murders, and extortion crimes in a short time, and for this reason, they began to be referred to in the public eye as the "Daltons Gang" or the "Motorcycle Gang."

It was stated that the organization gained power rapidly by acting as subcontractors and hitmen for larger underground groups. However, it was reported that the paths of Barış Boyun and the Daltons parted in March 2024.

FROM GEORGIA TO ABKHAZIA, THEN TO RUSSIA

According to Saymaz, the leader of the Daltons, Beratcan Gökdemir, moved to Abkhazia after spending some time in Georgia. Ahmet Aydın and Emircan Yılmaz were also with him.

Emircan Yılmaz lost his life in an attack carried out by the rival group "Anucurlar" on May 23, 2023. Following the incident, information was shared that Gökdemir had moved to Russia and was arrested there.

CRIMES CONTINUE TO BE COMMITTED FROM ABROAD

It was stated that despite Gökdemir being in prison, the organization's high-level executives continue their activities.

It was alleged that Batın Can Gökdemir, Ahmet Mustafa Timo, Bünyamin Yıkar, Murat Küçükyavuz, and Sinan Memi, who are said to be abroad, continue to commit crimes.

ORGANIZING VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

It was also reported that the Daltons follow a different method than classic underground structures and organize via social media.

It was stated that the organization, which communicates through platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, directs young people between the ages of 15 and 20 into crime through members they call "Kamikaze Drones."

It was stated that these young people join the organization by being influenced by TV series and social media content, and are motivated with drugs and weapons in cell houses.

It was stated that the investigation into the Serdar Öktem assassination is ongoing, and that police units are continuing their efforts to identify the cell houses and members linked to the "Daltons" organization.