A major breakthrough was achieved by Cypriot investigators, with the assistance of the Hellenic Police, bringing authorities close to solving the murder of Stavros Demosthenous. Shortly after noon on Thursday, a special unit of the Hellenic Police (ELAS) in Thessaloniki arrested two men wanted under warrants issued by the Cypriot Police since Sunday.
According to information confirmed by Politis, the two suspects had been under close surveillance for several days, with authorities in both countries monitoring their every move. The final step before their arrest was the formal issuance of the European Arrest Warrant, the operation in western Thessaloniki took place almost simultaneously with the warrant’s approval.
With these two arrests, the number of suspects rises to seven. Two weeks after the killing, investigators believe they are now close to solving the case, identifying the two men as the alleged gunman and the van driver.
The two 28-year-olds will appear before a court in Thessaloniki on Friday morning for the start of the extradition process to Cyprus. The hearing will not touch upon the evidence held by Cypriot authorities, but solely on whether they will be extradited. If the request is approved, officers from Limassol CID (TAE) will travel to Thessaloniki to escort the suspects to Cyprus, where they will be brought before the Limassol District Court for remand proceedings, expected to reveal how investigators link them to the murder.
Who are the two suspects
Sources from both Cyprus and Greece identify the two men as 28-year-old ethnic Greeks of Georgian descent, both holders of Greek passports. They live and work in Cyprus but maintain ties with Thessaloniki and northern Greece. The two are cousins and share the same surname.
According to Politis’ information, they left Cyprus separately after the murder but reunited in Thessaloniki. One has close relatives in Katerini and the other in Serres, and it is believed that Greek police placed them under surveillance to track their contacts in northern Greece. Neither suspect has a prior criminal record in Greece.
Investigators in Limassol believe their involvement is substantial, not peripheral like previous arrestees. Police sources have remained tight-lipped, hoping to secure the arrests before releasing any information. Authorities are optimistic that these arrests could “lock in” the case and point, even indirectly, to those who ordered the killing. DNA test results are expected to play a crucial role, as investigators are still analysing a key piece of evidence, a cap dropped by the perpetrators while fleeing, which contains genetic material not yet matched to anyone in police databases.
Possible link to mastermind
The latest arrests, combined with other findings from Limassol CID, appear to shed light on the possible masterminds and motives behind the killing. Investigators are examining a scenario in which the order to execute Demosthenous was given from abroad, following coordination between a foreign criminal network and Cypriot associates.
This organisation is believed to have recently entered Cyprus, aiming to control both legal and illegal activities generating massive profits. Police estimate it has already established a foothold in at least two Cypriot cities through local intermediaries, with Limassol seen as the “main prize” due to its concentration of businesses and activities.
The same group is allegedly linked to serious criminal operations in Greece and other countries, with its leaders based abroad and directing operations remotely.
Five others still in custody
Earlier on Thursday, a 30-year-old inmate from the Central Prisons was brought before the Limassol District Court, where his remand was extended by eight days without objection from his lawyer. Four additional individuals remain under police custody in connection with the same case.
Among them is a 51-year-old Greek national of Georgian descent, accused of involvement in the theft of the car used before the murder, a vehicle found three days earlier near Demosthenous’s home. His DNA was reportedly found on the cap of a fuel container discovered inside the stolen car.
Three other suspects, aged 45, 30, and 58, are being held in relation to a motorcycle connected to the crime. The 45-year-old is its registered owner, while the other two allegedly bought the motorcycle from him and later tried to bribe him into misleading the police after the killing.
The inmate’s role
According to testimony presented in court, the 30-year-old inmate, currently serving a prison sentence, is believed to be linked to the case through the same motorcycle. Another suspect in custody allegedly purchased the motorcycle on his behalf. Police testimony claims the inmate persistently asked this 30-year-old man from Nicosia to find him a motorcycle for purchase in exchange for payment.
The Nicosia suspect reportedly found one, delivered it to a prearranged location, and even sent the coordinates to the inmate via mobile phone. The motorcycle was later recovered by police. The two then argued, with the inmate accusing the man of deception. Eventually, they agreed to acquire another motorcycle, which turned out to be the one owned by the 45-year-old former footballer.
During the purchase, attended by the 30- and 58-year-old suspects, they allegedly called the inmate via video link to get his approval for the deal. The suspect later said he left the bike at the same spot as before, only to find it missing the next day, believing it had been collected by someone sent by the inmate.
A second witness statement also claims the inmate called another person, asking him to find and transport a motorcycle to a specific district in exchange for money.
The case remains under active investigation, with police confident that the latest arrests mark a decisive step toward identifying both the perpetrators and the masterminds behind one of Cyprus’s most shocking contract killings.