Critical evidence, including CCTV footage, DNA material and telecommunications data, has pushed the investigation into the murder of Stavros Demosthenous to a crucial turning point, with two suspects arrested in Thessaloniki regarded as key to solving the case.
Limassol CID investigators have re-arrested a 31-year-old suspect who was initially detained as an accomplice after the crime for allegedly helping his 28-year-old compatriot escape.
His arrest relates to offences under investigation, including premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit a felony.
According to philenews sources, the 31-year-old’s involvement appears to be more extensive, with witness testimony linking him to a specific stolen vehicle. Following the latest developments, the suspect will appear before Limassol District Court for a remand order.
The hearing will take place alongside that of two suspects aged 59 and 30, who allegedly participated in purchasing the vehicle, as the second eight-day period of their detention expires today and investigators will seek its renewal.
At 10:30 today the court is also expected to rule on whether a 44-year-old former footballer and a 51-year-old man of Greek origin will remain in custody. The latter is linked to the stolen Mitsubishi Colt inside which jerry cans of flammable material and his DNA were found.
Defence lawyers Alexandros Alexandrou and Nikos Koromias raised serious objections during yesterday’s hearing to the continued detention of their clients, arguing they were not involved and describing the prolonged detention as punitive.
The lawyer for the 44-year-old maintained his client has been fully cooperating with authorities from the outset.
The case investigator, Inspector Ilias Kreouzos, said certain claims made by the 51-year-old are contradicted by investigation findings. Whilst the suspect claimed he visited his doctor in Limassol daily, this was not confirmed.
Additionally, his claims about his movements before and on the day of the murder do not match the findings. Kreouzos stressed that the Mitsubishi Colt, which the perpetrators allegedly used, is linked to the same individuals found to have been driving the hitmen’s van.
Before the hearing began, prosecution representative Panikos Avraamidis requested that the 44-year-old remain handcuffed, citing information that he had expressed intent to escape.
The court granted the request, whilst his lawyer rejected the claim, noting his client has been held for 16 days in a one-by-one cell without contact with other prisoners.
So far 124 witness statements have been taken and dozens of exhibits collected, which are being examined at state laboratories. Investigators are evaluating large volumes of security camera footage, whilst a further 69 statements are expected from people in the close circles of the suspects and the victim.
Meanwhile, 22 searches have been conducted at residences and other locations, whilst two more targeted searches are scheduled to locate critical evidence.
Particular emphasis is being placed on analysis of telecommunications data and private communications of the suspects. According to sources, initial analyses appear to reveal significant evidence of contacts some of them had before and after the crime.
A parallel administrative investigation by a senior police officer is underway into the discovery of a mobile phone in the possession of a suspect being held for the murder at Limassol Police Directorate detention cells.
Authorities found the mobile phone following a tip-off. The suspect claimed the phone was given to him by another prisoner who was about to be transferred to Central Prisons.
The mobile phone has been sent for forensic examination to determine whether calls were made, to whom, and whether it contains material related to the case.
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.
