A 44-year-old man has been remanded in custody for eight days in connection with the contract-style murder of businessman and former football official Stavros Demosthenous, in a case that has sent shockwaves through Cyprus.
The suspect, who is the registered owner of the motorcycle allegedly used by the gunmen in their getaway, appeared before the Limassol District Court on Sunday morning under heavy police escort and wearing a bulletproof vest. He faces seven charges, including premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, arson, and illegal possession and use of a firearm and explosives.
Police investigators presented evidence linking the suspect to the high-profile assassination, which took place in broad daylight last Friday in the Sfalaggiotissa area of Limassol. Demosthenous, 49, was gunned down in a targeted ambush less than 500 metres from his home, in the presence of his 18-year-old son, who was driving the vehicle at the time.
A carefully executed hit
According to police, the perpetrators used a stolen white van to intercept the victim’s Rolls-Royce Spectre before opening fire with a high-calibre weapon, aiming directly at the passenger seat. The van, which had been reported stolen in early September in Nicosia, was later found burned near the Germasogeia area. At the scene, investigators recovered two burnt shell casings and a cap believed to have belonged to one of the assailants.
Closed-circuit television footage has since emerged, reportedly capturing the van surveilling the victim’s neighbourhood in the days leading up to the murder. The escape was executed via motorcycle, which was later discovered hidden in thick brush in the Ayios Tychonas area. The bike, owned by the suspect, had not been reported stolen and had been declared out of service since January.
Suspect has 'no idea'
Upon arrest, the suspect reportedly told police, “I have no idea.” A search of his home under warrant resulted in the seizure of various items, including two mobile phones, which have been sent for forensic analysis. Authorities also intend to request access to the telecommunications data of both the suspect and the victim.
Police say they are investigating whether the suspect’s connection to the case extends beyond the motorcycle’s ownership. So far, no direct evidence has been made public, but investigators say they are working with extensive surveillance footage and witness testimony.
The murder has prompted renewed concerns about the reach of organised crime in Cyprus, particularly in Limassol, where a series of violent incidents have occurred in recent months. The methodical planning and precise execution of the killing, combined with the use of fake plates and untraceable weapons, point to a professional and highly organised criminal network.
Speaking to the media, police spokesperson Kyriaki Lambrianidou acknowledged the worrying trend of violent crime in broad daylight. “Yes, it is a concern for the Cyprus Police,” she said. “We are taking measures, and in many cases, we have successfully prevented serious criminal activity. But no police force can eliminate crime entirely.”
All eyes on the Rolls-Royce
A potentially decisive element in the investigation may lie within the victim’s custom-built Rolls-Royce Spectre. Authorities believe the luxury vehicle is equipped with an advanced dash cam system capable of recording interior and exterior activity in high-definition 3D. A request for technical data has been sent to the manufacturer, and investigators hope the footage may provide vital clues to the assailants’ identities.
Questions have been raised, however, about why a high-profile figure like Demosthenous did not have bulletproof glass installed in his vehicle.
Complex crime scene and timeline
The timeline of the killing adds to the case’s complexity. After the ambush, Demosthenous’ son attempted to drive his injured father to Limassol General Hospital. En route, the vehicle was involved in a collision on the highway near Tsirio Stadium. The young man flagged down a passing car, and the two were transported to hospital, where Demosthenous was pronounced dead.
Shortly after the shooting, police received reports of a vehicle on fire in Germasogeia—believed to be the getaway van. Although the police helicopter was in the area on an unrelated mission, initial patrols responded quickly. Three crime scenes - Sfalaggiotissa, Germasogeia, and the highway - are being treated as part of the same incident.
At this stage, the investigation remains wide open, with authorities examining the victim’s business and personal dealings as they explore possible motives and connections to other criminal cases.