New details have emerged following the June 13 murder of a 25-year-old Turkish national in Athens’ Exarchia district and the suspect’s arrest on June 29, 2026. According to statements he made to police, the 28-year-old suspect entered Greece with the sole intention of carrying out the killing.
He claimed he was recruited by a criminal organization based in Istanbul — Greek authorities are examining whether the group is linked to the so-called ‘Daltons’. Investigators found that the suspect attempted to cross the Greek-Turkish border twice before launching his operation. His first stop was Thessaloniki, where an accomplice awaited him, providing weapons, operational plans, and supplies for movement across Greece before he travelled to Athens.
The organization reportedly arranged at least two Airbnb rentals for him to lie low until receiving final instructions. He carried both a firearm and a photograph of the victim. After committing the murder, he went to one of the two pre-arranged Airbnbs, changed clothes, left the weapons behind, and then moved to another Airbnb in Kallithea.
In total, six Airbnb properties were rented during his efforts to evade detection while attempting to return to Turkey. Authorities confirmed he was travelling on a stolen Swedish passport and used a credit card issued in Singapore.
When arrested yesterday morning, he confessed fully, stating he carried out the contract killing for €18,000. The victim had a serious criminal record in Turkey but had not drawn attention from Greek authorities since arriving in the country in November 2024 — reportedly fleeing violence between rival gangs.