Face of an assassin: Police release digitally enhanced image of hitman suspected of murdering Turkish diplomat in ‘politically motivated’ killing
- Police are re-investigating the murder of Sarik Ariyak and his bodyguard in 1980
- Two unknown men shot the pair in Dover Heights before fleeing on a motorbike
- The murder was claimed by the Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide
- A new computer generated image of one of the suspects has been released
A digitally ‘aged’ image depicting a man in his 60s has been released by police investigating the assassination of a Turkish diplomat and his bodyguard in Sydney nearly 40 years ago.
Sarik Ariyak, 50, was gunned down alongside his bodyguard Engin Sever, 28, in Dover Heights in December 1980, in a politically motivated attack claimed by the Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide.
Two unknown men approached Mr Ariyak and Mr Sever as they left a Portland St residence and fired multiple shots at close range before fleeing on a motorbike.
Police are re-investigating the murders and have released the original computer generated images of the unknown men, based on witness descriptions, along with a computer-aged image of one of the males.
A computer generated image based off witness descriptions of a man police believe may be a suspect in the murders of Sarik Ariyak and Engin Sever
![Turkish diplomat Sarik Ariyak (pictured) was murdered in Dover Heights in December 1980](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/12/29/01/22755174-7833729-image-a-9_1577583546588.jpg)
Turkish diplomat Sarik Ariyak (pictured) was murdered in Dover Heights in December 1980
Both men are expected to now be in their mid-to-late 60s.
Earlier this month a $1million reward was also announced for information leading to a conviction, as Mr Ariyak’s daughter Cagla returned to Sydney to attend a memorial service for her father.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton urged anyone who may recognise the men to come forward.
‘While we are only in the initial stages of the re-investigation, we suspect there are people who know exactly what happened that day but have not yet been willing to speak with authorities,’ he said in a statement on Sunday.
![Mr Ariyak's bodyguard Engin Sever (pictured) was also killed in the politically motivated attack](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/12/29/01/22755176-7833729-image-a-10_1577583553008.jpg)
Mr Ariyak’s bodyguard Engin Sever (pictured) was also killed in the politically motivated attack
![Witness descriptions of two men who fled on a motorbike after the incident in Dover Heights](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/12/29/01/22755168-7833729-image-a-11_1577583681624.jpg)
Witness descriptions of two men who fled on a motorbike after the incident in Dover Heights