DUBAI // Colleagues of Saeed Karimian, the Iranian businessman who was shot dead in Istanbul by unidentified gunmen last weekend, have paid tribute to a kind and generous boss, father and friend.
Karimian was in the city's Maslak neighbourhood on Saturday night when his car was attacked by gunmen. He was shot dead at the scene while his Kuwaiti business partner, who was in the car with Karimian, died later in hospital.
The founder and owner of GEM Group, which operates more than 20 satellite television channels showing foreign films, Western television programmes and Turkish series dubbed into Farsi, was wanted in Iran after being tried in absentia last year for crimes against the state.
Kathy Aria, an area manager of GEM Group in Dubai, said Karimian was "a great man and a great leader".
"We are finding it really hard to believe that he has gone. I could not believe what happened on Saturday," said a tearful Ms Aria, who had known Karimian for 11 years.
"He taught me many things about life and how to develop a career in media. He will always be in my heart and prayers."
Karimian, who was also a British citizen, was father of a 17-year-old son who lives in Istanbul. His attackers were able to flee the scene. Their vehicle was found burnt out by the side of the road in the nearby district of Kemerburgaz.
GEM Group was founded by Karimian in London in 2006 but later moved its headquarters to Dubai. Staff at the conpany's offices in Dubai were given three days off to mourn their boss's death.
'He is going to be missed by everyone and especially his employees who just adored him," said Ms Aria, adding Karimian managed more than 650 employees in Dubai, Istanbul, the US, London, Canada and Malaysia.
Mrs Aria said she could not think of a reason why anyone would kill her former boss.
"He had no problems with anyone or any political group," said Ms Aria. "I can't guess who murdered him."
Turkish police have taken laptops and mobile phones belonging to Karimian as part of investigations into his death and to check if the businessman had received any threats.
Ms Aria said GEM Group would continue to "work hard and continue to deliver the message of our deceased founder".
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