New details are emerging about the mob-style execution of a 25-year-old Turkish national in Exarchia following an investigation by detectives from the Crimes Against Life Division, who successfully identified and arrested a 28-year-old fellow Turkish national. The suspect allegedly confessed that he traveled to Greece for the sole purpose of carrying out a contract killing — for a fee of approximately €18,000.
Exarchia: how the 28-year-old traveled from Turkey to Athens to kill the 25-year-old
According to information obtained by parapolitika.gr, the 28-year-old allegedly told police that he was recruited in Istanbul by senior figures within the criminal organization known as the “Daltons.” It was there that his fee was agreed upon — one million Turkish lira, equivalent to roughly €18,000 — in exchange for traveling to Athens, eliminating his target, and immediately returning to Turkey. It should be noted that, despite the suspect’s alleged claims, Greek Police (ELAS) have not confirmed that the notorious “Daltons” gang was behind the hit.
According to his alleged testimony, the suspect entered Greece illegally just three to four days before the murder. Notably, this was preceded by a failed first attempt to leave Turkey, during which he was detained by Turkish authorities. On his second attempt, he successfully crossed via the Evros river, reached Thessaloniki — where he spent one night — and was then transported to Athens by an accomplice connected to the organization.
Once in Athens, according to what he allegedly told investigators, he was provided with a photograph of the 25-year-old victim, the firearm he would use, and detailed information about where the target was living, his daily movements, and the locations where he could be found. He had also been set up with two short-term rental apartments — one in Exarchia and one in Kallithea — to facilitate his escape after the killing.
The fatal night of the murder in Exarchia
On the evening of June 13th, at the corner of Kallidromíou and Emmanouil Benáki streets, the 25-year-old was walking his dog when the hitman approached and opened fire at close range. According to case file evidence, the first shot struck him in the face, and the attacker continued shooting even after the victim had fallen to the ground. A total of seven 9mm shell casings were recovered at the scene.
Immediately after the murder, the 28-year-old allegedly followed his escape plan. He made his way to the Exarchia apartment — located a short distance from the scene of the killing — changed his clothes, left his operational clothing and the weapon there, and then took a taxi to the Kallithea apartment.
Six safe houses, a stolen passport, and the arrest in Kallithea
The suspect then began constantly switching safe houses to avoid detection. By the time of his arrest, he had used a total of six different short-term rental apartments, and was moving around using a stolen Swedish passport and a stolen Singaporean credit card, desperately seeking a way to return to Turkey without being caught. His plan, however, never came to fruition.
A crucial role in cracking the case was played by the exhaustive analysis of dozens of hours of CCTV footage. Detectives from the Crimes Against Life Sub-Directorate were able to precisely map the suspect’s every move before and after the murder, link the apartments where he had been hiding, and ultimately identify and arrest him in Kallithea.
He has been charged in connection with the murder of the 25-year-old, and was also arrested on violations of drug and immigration legislation. The investigation is now continuing with the aim of identifying those who allegedly planned and financed the contract killing from Istanbul, as well as any individuals who provided support to the hitman during his time in Greece.
The 25-year-old victim’s serious criminal record
The 25-year-old victim had entered Greece in November 2024 and had applied for asylum. While he had not come to the serious attention of Greek authorities, information transmitted from Turkey revealed that he had an extensive criminal record, with involvement in cases of theft, drug offenses, threats, and assault — having come to the attention of Turkish authorities on approximately 20 separate occasions. Investigators believe that his activities within Turkish organized crime circles may have been the reason behind the issuing of the contract on his life.
