Three suspects in the Stavros Demosthenous murder case appeared before Limassol District Court around 11 a.m. Monday for a custody hearing, arriving in bulletproof vests under heavy guard from special police units.
Two of the suspects, aged 58 and 30, are Greek Cypriots arrested in Nicosia, while the third, a 39-year-old Greek national, was apprehended in Limassol.
Two suspects are allegedly connected to the motorcycle used in the killers’ escape, while the third was reportedly seen at both crime scenes in another vehicle.
The investigator told the court that a 44-year-old motorcycle owner questioned in connection with the case had denied involvement.
CCTV footage analysis revealed a double-cab pickup truck on Kypselis Street in Germasogeia near the murder scene, with the driver wearing a yellow t-shirt, the court heard.
The vehicle, belonging to the 39-year-old Greek suspect, was seen following the motorcycle after an arson incident, with the driver wearing a yellow short-sleeved t-shirt.
Further surveillance camera evidence showed the pickup truck following the motorcycle and apparently collecting the perpetrators to help them escape from where they abandoned the motorcycle in the Agios Tychon area.
When questioned, the 58-year-old suspect denied involvement and provided statements that are being investigated. The 39-year-old Greek suspect also denied involvement while giving various claims that are under investigation.
Notably, he places himself at the murder scenes but offers various explanations, the court was told.
Under cross-examination regarding the motorcycle owner’s claim it was used for an illegal purpose, the investigator said one of the two suspects called the 44-year-old after the murder, giving him a sum of money and instructed him to tell police he knew nothing about the case.
The investigator revealed they told him to claim he had sold the motorcycle.
Police have taken 23 statements and conducted eight searches so far, with another 83 statements still to be collected. Investigators will examine CCTV footage tracking the movements of the involved vehicles and motorcycle over an extended period.
Two additional searches are planned, and telecommunication data from the suspects will be analysed.
Police requested the court detain all three suspects for eight days.
The fatal ambush took place around 9:30 on the morning of October 17, approximately 500 metres from Demosthenous’s home in the Sfalangiotissa area.
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