Berlin extortion campaign targets Turkish-owned businesses
A growing wave of armed extortion attacks is targeting Turkish-owned businesses in Berlin, with criminals demanding between €50,000 and €500,000, according to a Der Spiegel investigation.
Cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, kiosks and other businesses have been hit by gunfire and hand grenades when owners refused to pay.
Auto repair shop owner Adem Ispirli told Der Spiegel that he was threatened with a €250,000 demand before two bullets were fired through his office door.
Police recorded 1,119 cases involving firearms in Berlin in 2025, nearly 70% more than the previous year. Authorities believe about half of shootings in 2026 may be connected to the extortion campaign.
Police intensify crackdown
Berlin police established the Ferrum special unit last November, while prosecutors created the Telum unit to investigate weapons-related crimes.
Operations have resulted in nearly 60 firearms seized, about 3,300 rounds of ammunition recovered, more than 500 investigations opened and 61 arrest warrants issued, according to Der Spiegel.
The investigation has identified links to the Türkiye-linked Daltons criminal network, but experts warn that the attacks do not appear to be controlled by a single organization.
Instead, investigators describe a fragmented criminal marketplace involving local gangs, overseas networks, weapons traffickers and young men recruited to carry out shootings.
Several alleged organizers have been arrested, while others remain at large as German authorities continue their crackdown.
