The trial over the murder of Stavros Demosthenous will continue with three remaining defendants after a 30-year-old defendant admitted a single charge of vehicle theft and was cleared of 15 other counts following amendments to the indictment.
The court is scheduled to impose sentence on 23 September 2026.
Admitted theft of priest's vehicle
The defendant admitted stealing a blue Mitsubishi Colt belonging to a priest at St Anthony's Church in Limassol.
The vehicle was later found on 14 October, three days before the murder of Demosthenous, in the parking area of St Kosmas Aitolos Church, close both to the victim's residence and the scene of the killing.
How the theft was carried out
According to the facts presented before the court, the 30-year-old approached a third party and asked him to steal a vehicle on his behalf.
The third party suggested the priest's vehicle after noticing that it was frequently left accessible with the keys inside.
On 5 October, the day of the theft, the individual attended the church and even participated in a vespers service. Before the service ended, he located the keys, took the vehicle and drove away.
After leaving the area, he contacted the defendant by telephone and was allegedly told: "Come quickly to Nicosia and bring it."
According to the defendant's admission, he later met the individual in Nicosia, took possession of the car and paid €300 for the theft.
Vehicle and contents worth thousands
The stolen vehicle was valued at approximately €4,000.
Items inside the car, including the priest's religious vestments, were estimated to be worth a further €1,750.
Initially linked to murder investigation
The defendant was originally arrested in connection with the Demosthenous murder investigation because of alleged involvement in the chain through which the perpetrators' getaway motorcycle was acquired.
However, he was acquitted of that allegation during an earlier hearing.
He has remained in custody in relation to the case since 19 October 2025 and is being held at the Central Prisons pending sentencing.
Previous convictions and additional case
The court is also expected to take into account another pending matter involving the defendant, relating to the discovery of a mobile phone in his cell while he was being held at the Limassol CID detention facilities.
The defendant has previous convictions, most of them involving theft-related offences.
During mitigation submissions, defence counsel referred to his client's admission of guilt and personal circumstances.
Key witness not charged
The individual who physically stole the vehicle will not face charges in relation to the theft.
According to the report, authorities decided against prosecuting him because he is expected to testify as a witness in the broader case.
Sources cited by Politis said the individual cooperated with investigators, providing information about the theft and identifying the person who instructed him to carry it out.
Sentence is due to be delivered on 23 September.
