ISTANBUL — 1980 · Murder
Assassination of former PM Nihat Erim
ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026
Former Prime Minister Nihat Erim was killed in an armed attack near his summer house in Dragos, Istanbul, on 19 July 1980. His police bodyguard was also killed. An armed left-wing organisation of the period claimed responsibility. The assassination is recorded as one of the most striking events in the wave of political violence shortly before the military coup of 12 September 1980. It made the national front pages the next day.
- Date
- 1980
- Place
- Maltepe, Istanbul
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 40.9050, 29.1600 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 19 July 1980Nihat Erim and his bodyguard were killed in Dragos.
- 20 July 1980The attack led the national newspapers.
- July 1980An armed left-wing group claimed responsibility.
- 12 September 1980The military coup took place; the killing became a symbol of the era's violence.
Sources
- Cumhuriyet e-arşiv – 20 Temmuz 1980 egazete.cumhuriyet.com.tr ↗
- Vikipedi – Nihat Erim tr.wikipedia.org ↗
- Cumhuriyet
- Vikipedi
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.