Necati Arabaci: from Cologne’s underworld to a cell in İzmir

Necati ‘Neco’ Arabaci built his reputation in Germany before moving to Turkey after a prison sentence. In October 2026 he received another sentence: fifteen years and six months. ^[1][2]

The Cologne years

Born in Cologne in 1972 to Turkish immigrant parents, Arabaci came to the authorities’ attention in the 1990s. Deutsche Welle describes his influence in the prostitution business through bouncers close to the Hells Angels. Reports linked him to businesses around Cologne, Leverkusen and Mallorca. ^[1]

Arrested in 2002, he was sentenced to nine years in 2004 in a case involving leadership of a criminal organisation, human trafficking, pimping and extortion. Germany deported him to Turkey in 2007. ^[1][3]

A new chapter in Turkey

According to later German reporting, his contacts with the Rhineland underworld continued. In İzmir he became an influential Hells Angels figure, retaining connections with the environment in which he had risen in Germany. ^[3]

‘Godfather of Cologne’ is a nickname used by the media and criminal circles. Understanding his legal history requires looking at the individual investigations and judgments, and distinguishing convictions from broader allegations.

Arrest at the airport

On 5 October 2025 he was arrested at İzmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport after arriving from Belgrade. A decision to release him under conditions was followed by renewed detention after prosecutors objected. The indictment carried a possible sentence of up to 35 years. ^[2]

The October 2026 judgment

On 22 October 2026 the İzmir court imposed six years for establishing and leading a criminal organisation, seven years and six months for violence against two victims in connection with that leadership, and two years for related illegal firearm offences. He was acquitted of other charges. ^[2]

The total was fifteen years and six months. Anadolu reported the judgment on 24 October, and TRT published its report. That publication date differs from the hearing date. The sources consulted do not establish that the judgment is final. ^[2]

About the documentary

Fallhöhe’s German-language documentary follows his life from Cologne to Turkey. It is a separate production by its creator. This background article relies on the news sources listed below; claims in the film are not automatically established facts.