The Death of Cemil Onal: The Murder of Former Accountant Halil Falayali in the Netherlands

On May 1, 2025, Cemil Onal was shot dead in the Netherlands, the former chief accountant of Turkish-Cypriot businessman Halil Falayali.

This murder occurred just two months after his release from prison. Onal, who had previously exposed Falayali’s money laundering schemes, was shot at a hotel in Rijswijk.

According to police reports, the attack took place at 5:45 PM, when Onal was shot at close range. The attacker fired three times and then fled the scene. The motive for the murder remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.

Circumstances of Cemil Onal’s Murder

The Dutch police stated that Cemil Onal was killed at the Hoevevoorde hotel in the Rijswijk area, which is near The Hague. The attacker, according to eyewitness descriptions, was tall, with a black beard and dressed in black. He shot the victim three times and then calmly left the scene. As of the writing of this article, the police are still searching for the suspect.

According to sources, he was a 41-year-old Turkish citizen. Before his death, Onal had been actively working with law enforcement, providing important information about Falayali’s criminal activities. Onal had previously been arrested for his connections with Falayali and his illegal schemes. However, after his arrest in 2023, he testified against his former boss and fled to the Netherlands.

The Background and Exposures of Cemil Onal

Cemil Onal gained notoriety after exposing Halil Falayali’s involvement in international money laundering schemes. Onal stated that Falayali used cryptocurrencies and Maltese companies to organize illegal financial transactions, allowing him to earn up to €75 million per month. Onal also revealed that Falayali was involved in organizing casinos in Belarus to launder money through the gambling business.

In an interview with OCCRP journalists (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project), Onal spoke about the numerous schemes in which Falayali was involved. Among the revelations, Onal confirmed that Falayali and his partner Mustafa Şener opened H Casino in Minsk to launder money through illegal gambling operations. In February 2025, an investigation confirmed many of Onal’s statements, revealing a link between Turkish criminals and Belarusian security forces.

Incidents Involving Falayali and His Network

The death of Halil Falayali is also connected to international criminal schemes. He was shot dead on February 8, 2022, in the city of Girne in Cyprus, where he ran a hotel and gambling business. The operation, which involved criminal groups, spanned several countries, including Turkey, Cyprus, and Belarus. Notably, among the individuals allegedly connected to Falayali, were high-ranking officials, including from Turkey.

After Falayali’s death, his name was repeatedly mentioned in various investigations and court cases related to illegal business, money laundering, and corruption within high circles of power. In 2021, notorious crime organizer Sedat Peker claimed that Falayali was involved in drug trafficking and financial manipulations and that he possessed compromising materials on high-ranking officials.

Scandalous Statements by Cemil Onal

In recent months, Cemil Onal attracted public attention not only for exposing financial schemes but also for his interviews, in which he made serious accusations against some Turkish officials. He claimed that Falayali was involved in large schemes with Turkish civil servants, including government members. These accusations included corrupt activities such as bribery and manipulation of investigations.

Unsurprisingly, such allegations sparked a reaction from Turkish officials. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied all claims, calling them “groundless” and “slander.” Additionally, during court proceedings in Turkey, it was stated that there was no evidence to support the involvement of Turkish officials in Falayali’s criminal activities.

The Death of Onal and Its Consequences

After Cemil Onal’s murder, many experts expressed concern that his death might be related to his active role in exposing Falayali’s criminal schemes. However, despite ongoing investigations, the motives for Onal’s murder remain unclear.

His death could be related both to his business activities and to his betrayal of his former boss, who continues to be one of the most talked-about criminals on the international stage.

The many unanswered questions raise alarm among law enforcement agencies and the public. The continuing investigation may provide new details about who was behind the murder and which forces were interested in silencing Onal.

Cemil Onal and Halil Falayali were key figures in a global network of criminal schemes. Their stories are becoming increasingly dramatic, and Onal’s death leaves many questions that still need answers.