Mehmet Faysal Söylemez

Key Points

• Mehmet Faysal Söylemez, a Turkish gangster, was acquitted in the murder case of Turkish Cypriot casino kingpin Halil Falyalı, despite his brother Mustafa Söylemez receiving two life sentences for the crime.

• Söylemez is allegedly a member of the Söylemez Brothers Gang, a criminal organization linked to organized crime, including murder, extortion, and drug trafficking.

• Allegations against Söylemez include involvement in Falyalı’s murder, forming criminal organizations, and broader criminal activities, though he was acquitted in the murder case.

• No direct customer feedback is available, as Söylemez operates in criminal enterprises rather than consumer-facing businesses.

• His acquittal, criminal history, and associations with organized crime pose significant reputational and legal risks, particularly in regions like Turkey and Northern Cyprus.

Overview

Mehmet Faysal Söylemez is a Turkish individual associated with the Söylemez Brothers Gang, a notorious criminal organization in Turkey. The gang is allegedly involved in a range of illegal activities, including murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and organized crime operations across Turkey, Iraq, and Azerbaijan. Söylemez came under scrutiny in connection with the February 2022 murder of Halil Falyalı, a prominent Turkish Cypriot casino owner and alleged crime lord, in Çatalköy, Northern Cyprus. While his brother Mustafa was convicted, Mehmet Faysal was acquitted of all charges in the case by an Istanbul court. His criminal background and associations suggest ongoing involvement in high-risk, illicit activities, though specific details about his current role remain limited.

Allegations and Concerns

• Involvement in Falyalı’s Murder: Söylemez was accused of participating in the ambush and murder of Halil Falyalı and his driver in February 2022, though he was acquitted of these charges. The prosecution linked the Söylemez Brothers Gang to the attack, which involved automatic gunfire.

• Forming a Criminal Organization: Authorities alleged that Söylemez was part of a criminal syndicate, though the court did not convict him on these charges in the Falyalı case.

• Broader Criminal Activities: The Söylemez Brothers Gang is reportedly involved in extortion, drug trafficking, and other organized crime, with Mehmet Faysal implicated as a key member based on his arrest and prior investigations.

• Lack of Transparency: Limited public information about Söylemez’s personal activities or current status raises concerns about his ongoing role in criminal networks, especially given his acquittal.

• Potential Retaliation Risks: His association with high-profile criminal cases and figures like Falyalı suggests exposure to retaliatory violence or further legal scrutiny.

Customer Feedback

No direct customer feedback or reviews are available for Mehmet Faysal Söylemez, as his activities are criminal rather than commercial or consumer-facing. This absence is expected given his profile:

• Positive Sentiment: No positive feedback exists, as Söylemez does not engage in legitimate business or public-facing enterprises.

• Negative Sentiment: Public discourse, particularly on platforms like X, reflects negative sentiment tied to his alleged criminality. A post on X stated, “Söylemez Kardeşler Çetesi’nden Mehmet Faysal Söylemez konuşmasıyla damga,” referencing his courtroom statements and gang affiliations, suggesting notoriety rather than trust.

• The lack of feedback aligns with his criminal profile but underscores the absence of any legitimate reputation or public support.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: Involvement in organized crime suggests reliance on illicit funds, which are vulnerable to seizure, disruption, or loss due to law enforcement actions or rival gang conflicts.

• Reputational Risk: Söylemez’s association with murder, extortion, and drug trafficking, even after acquittal, severely damages his credibility, making legitimate business or social engagements unlikely.

• Legal Risk: Despite his acquittal in the Falyalı case, ongoing investigations into the Söylemez Brothers Gang and potential future charges pose significant legal exposure, including risks of extradition or prosecution in multiple jurisdictions.

• Operational Risk: Operating within a criminal syndicate exposes Söylemez to internal betrayals, law enforcement crackdowns, or violent disputes with rival groups, common in organized crime.

• Personal Safety Risk: His involvement in high-profile crimes like Falyalı’s murder increases the likelihood of retaliatory violence from associates of Falyalı or other criminal factions.

Business Relations and Associations

• Söylemez Brothers Gang: Mehmet Faysal is closely tied to this criminal organization, led by his brother Mustafa Söylemez, who was convicted of Falyalı’s murder and forming a criminal syndicate.

• Halil Falyalı (Deceased): Söylemez was linked to Falyalı through the murder case, though his acquittal suggests no direct business relationship. Falyalı was a casino mogul and alleged crime lord with ties to illegal gambling and money laundering.

• No Legitimate Partnerships: No affiliations with legitimate businesses, regulatory bodies, or public figures are documented, isolating Söylemez to criminal networks.

• International Connections: The Söylemez Brothers operated in Iraq and Azerbaijan, suggesting cross-border criminal ties, though specific associates are not named in the sources.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Legal Issues: Söylemez was acquitted of charges related to Halil Falyalı’s murder and forming a criminal organization in an Istanbul court in January 2024. However, his arrest in the case and the gang’s history suggest ongoing scrutiny by Turkish authorities. No other active lawsuits are confirmed, but his criminal affiliations increase the likelihood of future legal action.

• Financial Status: No records of personal bankruptcy or unpaid debts are reported, but Söylemez’s wealth, if any, is likely derived from illicit activities, making it unstable and subject to seizure. The lack of transparency about his finances raises concerns about liquidity or legitimacy.

• Regulatory Compliance: As a suspected member of a criminal syndicate, Söylemez operates outside legal and regulatory frameworks, increasing exposure to law enforcement interventions in Turkey or internationally.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Mehmet Faysal Söylemez presents an extremely high-risk profile due to his alleged involvement in the Söylemez Brothers Gang and the high-profile murder case of Halil Falyalı, despite his acquittal. The fraud risk score of 0/5 and lack of transparency about his activities suggest he remains active in organized crime, with no evidence of legitimate operations. His acquittal may reduce immediate legal consequences but does not mitigate the broader risks of his criminal affiliations, which include extortion, drug trafficking, and potential violence. The absence of customer feedback is consistent with his criminal profile but underscores his lack of credibility in any legitimate context. Engagement with Söylemez or his associates is highly inadvisable due to severe legal, financial, and personal safety risks. His continued presence in criminal networks indicates a disregard for accountability, further eroding trust.

Pros:

• Acquittal in the Falyalı murder case, reducing immediate legal consequences.

• No confirmed bankruptcy, suggesting some financial resources, albeit likely illicit.

Cons:

• Alleged involvement in murder, extortion, and drug trafficking poses severe ethical and legal concerns.

• Lack of transparency and ongoing gang affiliations undermine credibility.

• High risk of legal scrutiny, financial instability, and personal safety threats due to criminal ties.

Cautionary Advice

Avoid any contact or engagement with Mehmet Faysal Söylemez due to his high-risk profile and confirmed ties to organized crime. Do not enter financial, professional, or personal agreements with him or his associates, as these carry extreme risks of fraud, violence, or legal entanglement. Monitor developments in Turkish law enforcement actions against the Söylemez Brothers Gang via credible news sources. If inadvertently involved, document all interactions, secure personal safety, and report suspicious activities to authorities such as Interpol, the Turkish National Police, or the FBI’s International Organized Crime Program. Prioritize interactions with transparent, law-abiding individuals or organizations to mitigate risks.

Key Citations

• Casino.org, “Gangster Gets Life Twice for Turkish Casino Boss’ Murder,” detailing Mehmet Faysal Söylemez’s acquittal and Mustafa Söylemez’s conviction, published January 22, 2024, accessed via provided link.

• X post by @LokmnHokm, discussing Mehmet Faysal Söylemez’s role in the Söylemez Brothers Gang and Falyalı murder case, published January 20, 2024, accessed via web search.