Beytullah Gunduz, 39, who prosecutors say has links to the Hackney Turks gang, also known as Bombacilar or the “Bombers,” has been charged with plotting to murder restaurant owner Onur Guzel following a bitter turf dispute involving rival Turkish gangs, Sky News reported.
The gang suspected Guzel’s family of supporting rival Tottenham Turks financially and allegedly demanded an “eye-watering” sum weeks before the shooting, according to Old Bailey prosecutors.
The attack took place outside the family-run Umut 2000 restaurant in Dalston on June 20 last year. CCTV footage played in court reportedly showed Guzel lying on the pavement, shot in the torso and screaming in agony.
Although Guzel survived, he suffered life-changing injuries and is now reportedly living with an ostomy bag.
Gunduz dismissed a charge of conspiracy to murder and a separate charge of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.
The accused gunman, Dogan Over, did not face trial because he is believed to have fled to Istanbul after the attack. Prosecutors said the white Kia Niro used in the shooting was burned minutes later.
The court also heard the Guzel family and their restaurant had been targeted in two previous shootings linked to tensions between London’s Turkish gangs.
Prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC told jurors that Gunduz and an associate initially approached the family after the shooting at the Guzel brothers’ home on April 5, allegedly blaming the Tottenham Turks and offering help.
However, after another shooting at the restaurant on April 7, the gang allegedly accused Guzel’s father of secretly paying their rival.
“His father denied giving the money, but the people he spoke to did not seem to believe him,” the prosecutor told the court. “They said Tottenham Hotspur were their enemy and gave his father a week to give them £100,000.”
According to reports, Guzel had met Guenduz earlier on the day of the shooting but did not notice the attacker while talking on the phone outside the restaurant.
“He just heard a loud bang and immediately felt a fever. He knew it was blood and realized he had been shot,” the prosecutor told the jury. The trial is currently underway.