Cemil Önal

Full Report

Key Points

• Cemil Önal, a key financial associate of slain Turkish Cypriot gambling tycoon Halil Falyali, was shot dead on May 1, 2025, in Rijswijk, Netherlands, in a targeted assassination.
• Önal was linked to money laundering, illegal betting, and a blackmail scheme involving alleged cassette tapes implicating Turkish politicians, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
• He provided a 120-page statement to Dutch and U.S. intelligence agencies, leading to his release from custody in March 2025, after which he expressed fears for his life.
• No direct content from the provided investigation link is available, suggesting it may be outdated, private, or erroneous.
• Önal’s death has raised questions about Dutch security failures and potential international motives, with no arrests reported as of May 16, 2025.

Overview

Cemil Önal was a 41-year-old Turkish national and the former financial manager for Halil Falyali, a Turkish Cypriot businessman assassinated in Northern Cyprus in February 2022. Önal managed Falyali’s illicit operations, including illegal online betting networks and money laundering schemes, which generated millions. After Falyali’s death, Önal became a suspect in the murder investigation, fled to the Netherlands, and was arrested in December 2023. He was released in March 2025 after cooperating with Dutch and U.S. intelligence, providing extensive details about Falyali’s criminal network and alleged political connections. Önal’s public statements to media, including Bugün Kıbrıs, implicated high-profile Turkish figures in corruption and blackmail schemes, making him a high-profile target. He was killed on a hotel terrace in Rijswijk, Netherlands, in a meticulously planned attack.

Allegations and Concerns

• Money Laundering and Illegal Betting: Önal was accused of managing Falyali’s financial operations, which involved laundering “dirty money” through illegal betting sites and other illicit activities in Northern Cyprus.
• Involvement in Falyali’s Murder: Turkish authorities suspected Önal of complicity in Falyali’s 2022 assassination, though he denied involvement and was not extradited.
• Blackmail Tapes: Önal claimed Falyali maintained 45 or 46 cassette tapes containing compromising material on Turkish politicians, including Erdogan and Fidan. He alleged Turkey’s ambassador to Northern Cyprus, Yasin Ekrem Serim, was tasked with recovering these tapes, but kept five for himself.
• Bribery Allegations: Önal alleged that $50 million was paid to former Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay and $20 million to former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu to protect Falyali’s assets, with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar as a mediator. These claims remain unproven.
• Security Lapse Concerns: Önal repeatedly warned Dutch authorities of death threats, but no adequate protection was provided, raising questions about negligence or deliberate oversight by Dutch security services.

Customer Feedback

• No Direct Consumer Reviews: As Önal was not a business or service provider, no customer reviews exist. His public profile stems from his role in Falyali’s operations and media interviews.
• Media and Public Sentiment: Önal’s interviews with Bugün Kıbrıs and Follow the Money were widely covered, with some praising his whistleblowing. For example, journalist Ayşemden Akın faced death threats after publishing Önal’s allegations, indicating the impact of his disclosures.
• Negative Sentiment: X posts and Turkish media reflect polarized views. Some label Önal a “black box” with critical secrets, while others call him a criminal complicit in Falyali’s murder. An X user commented, “Cemil Önal, CIA korumasina rağmen öldürüldü,” suggesting skepticism about his protection.
• Positive Sentiment: Supporters viewed Önal as a key witness exposing corruption. An X post stated, “Küresel sanal bahis ağını deşifre etmişti… Devlet-mafya bütünleşmesini anlatmıştı,” highlighting his role in uncovering illicit networks.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks:
  • Önal: His involvement in managing Falyali’s illicit funds exposed him to financial scrutiny, though no personal debts or bankruptcies are reported.
  • Associated Parties: Entities or individuals tied to Önal’s allegations (e.g., Turkish officials) face potential financial risks if investigations validate his claims.
• Reputational Risks:
  • Önal: His public allegations damaged his reputation among Turkish authorities, painting him as a traitor or criminal, while others saw him as a whistleblower.
  • Turkish Government: Önal’s claims about high-level corruption risk reputational damage to figures like Erdogan and Fidan, though Turkey’s government has denied these allegations.
• Legal Risks:
  • Önal: Faced extradition requests and criminal charges in Turkey, which were unresolved at his death.
  • Dutch Authorities: Criticism for failing to protect Önal could lead to legal or diplomatic repercussions, especially if negligence is proven.
• Physical Safety Risks:
  • Önal’s assassination highlights extreme risks for informants in organized crime cases, particularly those exposing political figures.

Business Relations and Associations

• Halil Falyali: Önal’s primary associate, a Turkish Cypriot gambling tycoon whose illegal betting empire Önal managed. Falyali was killed in 2022.
• Ayşemden Akın: Bugün Kıbrıs editor who interviewed Önal, later facing death threats and demanding police protection.
• Bayram Bozkurt (Hakan Aslan): A witness present at Önal’s assassination, linked to FETÖ (a Turkish terrorist organization) and involved in Önal’s legal case.
• Alleged Political Connections: Önal implicated:
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hakan Fidan: Accused of involvement in recovering Falyali’s blackmail tapes.
  • Yasin Ekrem Serim: Turkish ambassador allegedly tasked with retrieving tapes.
  • Fuat Oktay and Süleyman Soylu: Allegedly received bribes to protect Falyali’s assets.
  • Ersin Tatar: Turkish Cypriot leader accused of mediating bribery.
• Dutch and U.S. Intelligence: Önal collaborated with these agencies, providing a 120-page statement, which led to his release.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Legal Issues:
  • Falyali Murder Investigation: Önal was a suspect in Turkey’s investigation into Falyali’s 2022 assassination. His case was separated due to his fugitive status and is now closed due to his death.
  • Extradition Request: Turkey sought Önal’s extradition after his 2023 arrest in the Netherlands, but Dutch authorities opted for local proceedings.
  • No Lawsuits: No civil lawsuits or bankruptcy records are reported against Önal personally.
• Financial Concerns:
  • Illicit Funds: Önal managed Falyali’s illegal betting revenue, but no specific debts or financial liabilities are documented.
  • Bribery Allegations: His claims of multimillion-dollar bribes to Turkish officials remain unverified, with no legal action reported against the accused.
• Dutch Security Failure: Önal’s warnings of threats were not acted upon, prompting criticism of Dutch authorities, though no formal legal consequences are noted.

Risk Assessment Table