[3] The idea for the name of the gang came from Attila Murat Aydın, a founder of the Berlin rap scene, who was murdered in 2003 by a 76-year-old man who was later acquitted on grounds of self defence.

During the May riots in Kreuzberg, the 36 Boys initially joined the Autonomists, but the alliance was short-lived because of the group's lack of political orientation.

In 2007 the Berlin Senate employed former members of the 36 Boys as Kiezläufer ("neighbour walkers") in Kreuzberg to help prevent juvenile delinquency.

Some remained in the criminal milieu, others such as the cook Tim Raue - awarded by the Gault Millau - turned to lawful careers.

[1] His brother, professional boxer Muzaffer Tosun, was also a member of the 36 Boys, as were the rapper Killa Hakan[7] and the author, film director and media educator Neco Çelik.