With four suspects still in custody aged 30, 58, 30, and 31, and the transfer pending of two 28-year-olds arrested in Thessaloniki, police continue their intensive investigation into the murder of Stavros Demosthenous.
At the same time, three other individuals previously arrested have been released, including two (aged 45 and 51) freed yesterday by court order, a decision that also sent a clear message to investigators. The remand of two suspects, aged 30 and 58, believed to be connected to the purchase of the motorcycle used in the crime, was renewed for a third eight-day period, while a new eight-day remand was issued for a 31-year-old suspect, who had initially been detained for aiding and abetting after the murder but was re-arrested on fresh premeditated murder charges.
Police believe they have identified the gunman
Although Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis announced on Tuesday that new arrests were imminent, the investigation so far has produced only one re-arrest and two further releases. The force remains highly reserved in its public comments, neither confirming nor denying information reported in the media.
As Politis reported yesterday, investigators now appear to “lock in” the 31-year-old - a Greek national of Georgian descent - as the suspected gunman, attributing to him a far more central role than initially disclosed in court. The suspect, who is also a cousin of one of the 28-year-olds detained in Thessaloniki, had originally been accused only of assisting his childhood friend to flee to Greece and of hiding the clothes allegedly worn during the murder.
It remains unclear what led police to now consider him the direct perpetrator, but substantial investigative material has not yet been presented in court, and key developments are expected from telecommunications data. Investigators are said to be focusing on a particular characteristic of the 31-year-old that may have proved decisive.
Fake number plates and new evidence
Investigators have also managed to link the suspects to a stolen Mitsubishi Colt, found near Demosthenous’ home three days before the killing.
According to testimony presented in Limassol District Court, the 31-year-old allegedly visited a shop in Limassol on 26 September, requesting the fabrication of two identical licence plates bearing the same numbers as those later found on the stolen car.
The shop owner asked to see proof of ownership, but the suspect reportedly promised to return with it later. After gaining her trust, he collected the plates without ever producing the documents. The shop, investigators noted, is located next to the suspect’s residence.
During the same court session, police also requested a third extension of detention for the 30- and 58-year-old suspects linked to the motorcycle purchase. Testimony indicated that one of the detainees, while serving time in prison, used a mobile phone application to contact another person, offering €200 for an unspecified task. When the individual agreed, he was told to liaise with the 30-year-old suspect for instructions on locating a motorcycle to be moved to Larnaca. However, after further communication, the prisoner later advised against proceeding, saying the job “was not for a good reason.”
Court orders release of two detainees
Earlier yesterday, the court ordered the immediate release of the 45-year-old and the 51-year-old suspects, finding no new or objective evidence to justify their continued detention.
In a detailed ruling, the judge noted that there was no link between the 45-year-old and the crime scene, nor any other location connected to the murder. She stressed that at this stage of the proceedings - after a third request for renewal - reasonable suspicion is considerably weaker, and the existing testimony does not substantiate continued detention.
“The mere possibility of obtaining further information from telecommunications data does not justify further custody,” the judge stated.
Regarding the 51-year-old, the court cited the absence of new testimony and said there was no evidence that, if released, he would interfere with witnesses, destroy evidence, or obstruct the investigation. The pending analysis of telecommunications data, the judge added, cannot alone justify extended detention.