Four men have been committed to trial over the murder of Stavros Demosthenous, with the case set to be heard at Limassol’s Permanent Criminal Court on 29 January 2026.
Defence lawyers received the prosecution evidence today, which includes dozens of witness statements compiled in a box file. The case involves 104 prosecution witnesses, including three people initially arrested as suspects who were later released.
A 30-year-old man, identified as Ch. S., is accused of acting as an intermediary in purchasing the motorcycle used in the killing. According to the evidence, he received €100 after the murder to falsely report to police that the motorcycle had been stolen.
The indictment also includes a 51-year-old man, who was previously released by the court. He is linked to a stolen Mitsubishi Colt in which investigators found canisters of flammable material and his DNA.
A 30-year-old convicted prisoner is accused of ordering the purchase of the motorcycle from his cell at the Central Prisons.
A 31-year-old man is also charged and has close ties to two other 28-year-old co-defendants. He is related to one of them (I.Z.) and described the other (A.Z.) as a childhood friend during his interrogation.
The defendants face 17 charges in total, including premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to murder, arson, illegal possession, transportation and use of firearms and explosives, car theft, participation in a criminal organisation, and handling stolen goods – the last charge applies only to the 51-year-old defendant.
Two more defendants are expected to be added to the case.
Defence lawyers requested time to review the evidence. Alexandros Alexandrou, representing the 51-year-old defendant, said he would challenge his client’s detention.
He told the court his client only learnt yesterday that the case would be registered against him and appeared voluntarily today.
The case was scheduled for 10:30am on Friday. Three defendants will remain in custody, whilst the 51-year-old will report at various times today and tomorrow morning to Paphos Central Police Station.
