Two 28-year-old men arrived in Cyprus this morning from Thessaloniki, Greece. Police arrested the two cousins on 30 October as suspects in the murder of Stavros Demosthenous.
Limassol CID investigators travelled to Thessaloniki on Wednesday and flew the two suspects back to Cyprus this morning.
Police implemented draconian security measures for the transfer operation. Officers immediately arrested the men at Larnaca Airport upon arrival, using a judicial warrant.
Around 11 a.m., the two 28-year-olds arrived at the Limassol Police Headquarters in official vehicles, escorted by a strong police presence.
Philenews reports that Limassol CID investigators will question the two suspects this afternoon. They will be taken before the Limassol District Court tomorrow, Friday, for a detention request.
Investigators assign the two men significant roles in the execution of the Demosthenous murder, with one man reportedly having critical involvement. The two men are cousins, and one is also related to the previously charged 31-year-old suspect.
The case against the initial four defendants was filed last week and referred to the Criminal Court. The trial is scheduled to begin on 29 January 2026. All four defendants were sent to the Central Prisons as detainees until the trial starts.
The defendants face a total of 17 charges, including premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to murder, arson, illegal possession, transfer, and use of a firearm and explosives, car theft, participation in a criminal organisation, and receiving stolen property—the latter charge applies only to the 51-year-old defendant.
The timely surrender of the two suspects to Cypriot authorities followed discussions between the Justice Ministers of Cyprus and Greece, Marios Hadjiotis and Michalis Chrysochoidis, respectively, last week in Athens.
Police expect to re-file the case in the coming weeks to add the two 28-year-olds to the charge sheet.
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