SYS-CON Media Founder Narrowly Escapes Carjacking Attempt in France; Company VP Almost Kidnapped

From the Wires

"It is certainly not safe for Americans to travel in France," says Fuat Kircaali, "unless you can afford 24/7 private security."

By: PR Newswire

Sep. 20, 2005 11:15 AM

International Yacht Vacations & Charters Magazine - News Coverage

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(Nice, France - September 20, 2005) - A car being driven by SYS-CON Media founder and CEO Fuat Kircaali last night from Monaco to Nice was ambushed by two men when he stopped at the first set of traffic lights as he entered the City of Nice. The incident took place 3:28 AM this morning.

As soon as Kircaali stopped at the red light, two men ran towards his car, containing his two passengers, vice president of advertising sales Carmen Gonzalez and director of advertising sales Robyn Forma.

One of the two men opened the passenger door and tried to drag Ms. Gonzalez out of the car. After about a 40 second struggle, Kircaali managed to drive the car through the red light as the men in dark leather motorcycle outfits and helmets with dark glasses tried to hang on to the car for a while.

Three SYS-CON Media executives were ambushed in Nice, France on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at this traffic light. French police refused to file a report of this incidence. "French authorities try very hard to hide the wide spread crime rate and details from tourists and international press," a local journalist said.

As the three executives of SYS-CON Media arrived to their hotel, Sheraton Four Points Elysee Palace, Nice, France, they asked for help from the front desk clerk. Sheraton Hotel representative first refused to call the poilce. After a while he agreed to search for the phone number of the local police station and dialed it for Ms. Forma to report the incident to Nice Police.

Surprisingly, the police also refused to speak to Ms. Forma in English and hung up the phone three times.

SYS-CON Media executives were not able to file a police report as of yet, 18 hours after this extremely scary incident.

Fuat Kircaali, Carmen Gonzalez, and Robyn Forma at the American Bar of Hotel De Paris in Monte Carlo 15 minutes before they were ambushed by motorcycle gangs between Monaco and France.

"It is certainly not safe for Americans to travel in France," said Fuat Kircaali, founder and CEO of SYS-CON Media. "This is not because of what we experienced yesterday, but because of the lack of response from French Police and local authorities. I'm convinced that if Ms. Gonzalez had actually been kidnapped last night, the response from the police would not be any different than what we received, which was: no response or slightest care for human life. I strongly advise all Americans not to travel to France unless they can afford full time private protection at all times."

Kircaali, Gonzalez, and Forma are presently in South of France to attend the 15th Annual Monaco Yacht Show. Kircaali Media, a fully owned subsidiary of SYS-CON Media, publishes YV&C, International Yacht Vacations & Charters Magazine.

Update: One month after this highly criticised news report, France experienced the biggest riots and civil unrest in their history.

Published Sep. 20, 2005— Reads 294
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