A Turkish tourist, described as “Rambo-like” with a muscular build and traces of testosterone, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and banned from Monaco for ten years…
The defendant was caught with a cache of weapons, cash, and drugs at the Hermitage Hotel. Police apprehended the man, a 43-year-old Turkish national residing in Germany, while he was about to enter his luxury Porsche Cayenne, valued at €284,000.
The police discovered a 9mm loaded handgun, a switchblade knife with a 22 cm blade, fentanyl (a potent opioid), and €11,225 in undeclared cash, reportedly linked to tax evasion. He claimed to be under threat from a powerful Albanian group, alleging he needed the weaponry for protection. “These weapons keep me safe,” he stated in court, explaining that he had encountered threats from a “Balkan community.”
Adding to the intrigue, further searches uncovered 34 rounds of ammunition and invoices for high-end cars, highlighting significant financial discrepancies. The defendant’s earnings did not align with his extravagant lifestyle, prompting prosecutors to argue possible ties to money laundering. Deputy Attorney General Morgan Raymond emphasized the suspicious circumstances: “This was not just a holiday.” He demanded an 18-month sentence, a €5,000 fine, and property confiscation.
The defendant’s lawyer, Veronica Vecchioni, argued against any ulterior motive, questioning the evidence presented. She pointed out that the absence of substance consumption undermined claims of his fentanyl usage and noted the lack of financial crime records. Despite her defence, the court upheld the 15-month sentence on the 21st October, though an appeal is being considered.
Photo by Tingey