Draft:Izzet Eren

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Izzet Eren (15 January 1983 – 11 July 2024) was a prominent and controversial figure in North London's organised crime scene, notably associated with the Tottenham Turks gang. Born into a Kurdish Alevi family from the village of Gümüşdöven in Elbistan, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, his involvement in violent feuds and extensive criminal activities marked him as a significant player in the underworld of organised crime.

Early Life and Criminal Activities

From a young age, Izzet Eren was drawn into a life of crime. Growing up in the tough environment of North London, he swiftly became deeply involved in the underworld, ascending through the ranks of the Tottenham Turks. This gang, known for its involvement in drug trafficking and territorial conflicts, served as the foundation for Eren to build his notoriety.

Feud with the Hackney Turks

The feud between the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks, two prominent Turkish gangs in North London, has been marked by persistent and violent conflict since at least 2005. However, prosecutors attribute the origins of the feud to a pivotal brawl at the Manor Club in Finsbury Park on 24th January 2009. During this altercation, Kemal Armagan, a prominent member of the Hackney Turks, sustained injuries, intensifying hostilities between the two groups. Armagan vowed retribution against anyone, including Mehmet Senpalit, a member of the Tottenham Turks, involved in the attack against him that night. This incident set the stage for escalating violence and animosity between the rival factions in the years that followed.

Notable Incidents

In the years that followed, Izzet Eren played a pivotal role in intensifying the conflict between the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks. His leadership and influence within the Eren family, who dominated the Tottenham gang, escalated the violence and retribution between the two factions. Incidents of attempted murders, brutal assaults, arson targeting rival businesses, and targeted shootings across North London became frequent under his direction. These acts of violence not only resulted in fatalities but also instilled widespread fear and instability within local communities, perpetuating a cycle of vengeance and bloodshed.

Ahmet Paytak's Murder: On March 22, 2009, Ricardo Dwyer, a hired gunman associated with the Hackney Bombers, mistakenly shot and killed Ahmet Paytak, an innocent shopkeeper, at Euro Food and Wines on Hornsey Road, Holloway. The store was owned by Mehmet Senpalit, a member of the Tottenham Turks. Kemal Armagan, who fled the UK shortly afterward, is believed to have ordered the hit. This tragic incident resulted in the death of Paytak and injuries to his 21-year-old son, setting a precedent for escalating violence between the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks.

Assassination of Oktay Erbasli: On October 2, 2009, tragedy struck the Tottenham Turks when Oktay Erbasli, a 23-year-old member, was fatally shot while driving in Tottenham.

Assassination of Cem Duzgun: Just three days later, on October 5, 2009, Cem Duzgun, a 21-year-old member of the Hackney Turks, met a grim fate at a social club on Upper Clapton Road.

Attempted Assassination of Kenan Aydogdu: On August 15, 2010, tensions reached a critical point with an attempted assassination targeting Kenan Aydogdu, a close associate of Ali Armagan, a prominent figure in the Hackney Turks. Ali Armagan's Assassination: On February 1, 2012, outside Turnpike Lane tube station in London, Ali Armagan, the leader of the Hackney Bombers, was brutally killed. He was shot multiple times while sitting in his Audi A8 car. Despite being wounded, he managed to get out of his car and tried to find safety in a nearby barbershop. Sadly, he died from his injuries there. Kemal Eren, who was believed to be hiding in Elbistan, Turkey at that time, is suspected of planning this assassination.

Kemal Eren's Injury and Disputed Fate: On December 1, 2012, Kemal Eren, widely known as 'No Fingers', fled the UK to evade arrest. Shortly after his arrival in Elbistan, Turkey, he was targeted in a shooting that left him paralysed. Despite unconfirmed reports of his death, there is no substantiated evidence to support these claims.

Attempted Murder of Inan Eren: On the evening of December 30, 2012, Inan Eren, cousin of Zafer Eren, fell victim to a vicious attack at his residence on Forest Road in Enfield. The assailants, Christopher Annan, 24, from Denham Road, Barnet, and Tyrone Wright, 20, from East London, were collectively sentenced to 49 years in prison for their roles in attempting to murder Inan Eren. Jamie Marsh-Smith, another accomplice, lay in ambush as Inan returned home that evening. Marsh-Smith fired multiple shots at close range, hitting Inan in the arm, stomach, and buttock. Despite suffering serious injuries, Inan managed to escape to a nearby convenience store on Hertford Road, where he sought refuge and was later discovered by his wife. Inan survived the assault, although he was left permanently affected with a limp as a consequence of the injuries sustained during the attack.

Zafer Eren's Assassination: The violent feud between the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Bombers reached its climax with the targeted assassination of Zafer Eren, leader of the Tottenham Turks and cousin of Izzet Eren, on April 18, 2013. Jamie Marsh-Smith, acting on behalf of the Hackney Bombers, ambushed Zafer Eren outside his residence in Southgate and fatally shot him. This tragic event marked one of the deadliest and most significant incidents in the ongoing turf war between the rival gangs. In July 2014, Jamie Marsh-Smith was sentenced to a minimum of 38 years in prison for the murder of Zafer Eren, further underscoring the severity of the crime and its impact on London's gang landscape.

October 2015 Arrest:

In October 2015, a decisive operation led to the apprehension of Izzet Eren by armed police in Stamford Hill, N16. Eren was riding a stolen motorbike and found in possession of a loaded pistol and a Skorpion submachine gun stashed nearby. These discoveries resulted in charges of firearms offences against Eren and his associate, Erwin Amoah-Gyamfi. Both pleaded guilty on October 29, 2015, and were subsequently sentenced to 14 years in prison on December 11, 2015.

Escape Plot and December 2015 Incident:

In December 2015, Eren orchestrated a daring escape plot while being transferred to Wood Green Crown Court for sentencing. The conspiracy involved his cousin Ozcan Eren, Gokay Sogucakli, Nathan Mason, and Eren Hasyer, employing sophisticated communication methods, surveillance techniques, and a command structure to plan the breakout. However, the plot was intercepted by police on December 11, 2015. During the operation, Jermaine Baker, one of the conspirators, was fatally shot by police. Eren was found with a mobile phone broken into pieces and concealed in a heating duct in the prison van. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to escape lawful custody and possession of an imitation firearm, receiving a total sentence of 21 years.

Transfer to Turkish Prison and Escape

In August 2019, amid heightened security concerns, Izzet Eren was transferred to a Turkish prison while serving his sentence. Despite stringent measures, he managed to orchestrate a daring escape just a month later. His evasion triggered an extensive international manhunt, intensifying efforts by the Metropolitan Police to locate him.

Family Tragedies

In 2020, tragedy struck Izzet Eren's family when his cousin, 24-year-old Huseyin Eren, was fatally shot during a family holiday in Elbistan, Turkey. Reports indicate he was attacked in front of his wife and child. According to Turkish newspaper Sabah, the Eren family has faced multiple losses in recent years. Huseyin's brother, Behzat Eren, along with their mother Elif, father Mehmet, and another brother, were shot in their vehicle on April 18, 2015. Despite efforts to save them, Behzat tragically succumbed to his injuries. In another unfortunate incident, media sources report that Huseyin Eren's vehicle was intercepted, and he was shot multiple times. Despite being rushed to Elbistan State Hospital by emergency services, he succumbed to his injuries.

Moldova Arrest

On May 26, 2022, Eren was eventually apprehended by Moldovan police in Moldova after evading capture by Turkish authorities. Met Commander Fiona Mallen stated that extradition proceedings were underway, but Eren was reportedly released later. During this period, it is believed he continued to oversee his gang's operations in the UK while evading authorities.

Possible Connection to Dalston Shooting

On May 29, 2024, a tragic shooting incident occurred in Dalston, near a restaurant on Kingsland High Street, resulting in injuries to a young girl and three men. The girl, from a Kerala family, was critically wounded by a gunshot to the head while she was dining at Evin’s restaurant in Hackney. The shooting sparked immediate concern and investigation by local authorities.

Police at the time linked the incident to Izzet Eren, given his notorious history and involvement in North London's organised crime scene. Eren's connections to violent feuds and criminal activities, particularly his leadership in the Tottenham Turks gang, drew attention to possible gang-related motives behind the shooting.

Death of Izzet Eren

On July 11, 2024, Izzet Eren's tumultuous life in organised crime reached a definitive end in a Chișinău cafe. While awaiting extradition to the UK, he was fatally shot in an armed attack. The assailant, donning a helmet and riding an electric scooter, fired seven shots at Eren, striking him three times in the head. The incident marked the conclusion of Eren's notorious criminal career, which was deeply intertwined with the volatile underworld of North London, characterised by violence, vendettas, and survival.