ERBIL, Kurdistan Region— An alleged local gang leader was killed in the ethnically Kurdish city of Bokan, Iran, on Thursday, city officials said. Hasan Banayi, a suspected criminal kingpin, was shot dead by two assailants on a motorcycle who fled after the drive-by shooting, according to witnesses who spoke to Rudaw. Local officials asked the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of the two attackers who were still at-large. “We know that the assailants fired with a handgun from close range and on a motorcycle, but we have no direct motives or suspects yet,” Ayub Adinpour , Bokan deputy mayor, told the press. The murder sparked a massive discussions on social media networks with many commentators expressing delight at the assassination. Hasan Banayi has been described by the local people as a “troublemaker,” “a mafia boss,” and even “a collaborator” with the Iranian intelligence services. People who spoke to Rudaw said Banayi was a wealthy “businessman” who was dealing with both legal and illegal items. “He made a fortune from his many businesses, both real estate and drugs, and with the help of a network of people he worked with,” said one witness who did not wish to be named.
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