Greek authorities have arrested a 28-year-old Turkish man for the murder of a fellow national in the Exarchia district of Athens on June 13.

He was brought before prosecutors shortly after 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

According to information released by investigators, the suspect was recruited in Turkey and paid 1 million Turkish lira – approximately €18,000 – to carry out the execution of the 25-year-old victim. The 28-year-old has since confessed to the crime, confirming that he was recruited in Turkey for payment.

The Airbnb Network and the Failed Escape

In an attempt to cover his tracks, the 28-year-old had rented two separate short-term apartments in Attica through Airbnb, while also booking additional accommodations in the Greek capital:

The Exarchia base: The apartment where he was staying near the scene of the murder. Immediately after the crime, he returned there, changed his clothes to alter his appearance, and disappeared.

The Kallithea hideout: The second apartment he fled to right after changing clothes. He remained hidden there for several days, attempting to find a way to escape abroad, but without success.

The countdown to his arrest began when officers from the Security Division analyzed surveillance footage from cameras in the Exarchia area, successfully mapping his movements and identifying him.

The motive for the murder was determined to be a settling of scores between rival factions of the Turkish mafia, with the victim belonging to one of the opposing groups.