Homicide detectives believe a “death contract” worth approximately €18,000 lies behind the cold-blooded execution of a 25-year-old Turkish national in Exarchia. According to sources, the 28-year-old Turkish suspect arrested on Monday morning (June 29) allegedly entered Greece illegally just three to four days before the murder, with the sole mission of killing the victim and then leaving the country. Investigators from the Homicide Division reportedly extracted this information directly from the suspect himself.
The same sources indicate that the alleged hitman was recruited in Istanbul, where his fee — approximately €18,000 — was also agreed upon. Greek police officers say they have no reason to doubt that this was a contract killing, with the 28-year-old traveling to Athens exclusively to carry out the hit.
Exarchia: The charges facing the 28-year-old
The 28-year-old was arrested by officers from the Aliens and Border Protection Branch (ΥΔΕΖΙ) of the Greek Police and faces charges related to violations of drug and immigration legislation. He has also been identified as the alleged perpetrator of the murder of his 25-year-old fellow countryman, which took place on the evening of June 13 in the Exarchia neighborhood of Athens.
The killing occurred at the intersection of Kallidromio and Emmanouel Benaki streets. The victim had been walking his dog when the suspect approached and shot him at point-blank range. Seven 9mm shell casings were recovered at the scene, and according to investigators, the gunman first shot the 25-year-old in the face and continued firing even after the victim had fallen to the ground.
By analyzing CCTV footage, police were able to map the suspect’s movements both before and after the attack, ultimately leading to his identification and arrest.
The victim had been living in an apartment in Exarchia and had been in Greece since November 2024 as an asylum seeker. Although he had not come to the serious attention of Greek authorities, records obtained from Turkey revealed a lengthy criminal history involving weapons offenses, drug-related charges, armed robbery, and violent crimes. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify the masterminds who allegedly organized and financed the contract killing from Istanbul.
