Two suspects knew the motorcycle used in the murder of Stavros Demosthenous would be used for the killing, Limassol District Court heard on Tuesday as their detention was extended by eight days.
Demosthenous, 49, former chairman of second division football club Karmiotissa FC, was shot inside his car in what police described as a well-organised contract killing.
Limassol CID investigators sought the extension, the suspects’ lawyers raised no objection, and the court approved the request.
Under written questioning, the 59-year-old denied any involvement and made various claims about his whereabouts before, during and after the murder, as well as regarding other events linked to the investigation. These claims are under investigation.
The 30-year-old also denied involvement under written questioning but admitted buying the motorcycle used in the murder from a person he identified who is connected to the case. He also made claims about this transaction.
Both suspects denied being involved on the day of the murder.
As investigators looked into the suspects’ claims and took further witness statements, it emerged that the 30-year-old appears to have known the motorcycle he bought would be used for illegal purposes. Some of his claims were verified.
As for the 59-year-old, his claims about his movements on the day of the murder could not be verified, but it appears he also knew the motorcycle would be used to kill Stavros Demosthenous.
Motorcycle owner’s account
The 44-year-old motorcycle owner and former footballer denied any involvement but implicated both the 59-year-old and 30-year-old, providing details about how he handed over the motorcycle.
He said that about 15 days before the murder, he went to the 59-year-old’s home, as the two are friends. The 30-year-old also turned up. The 44-year-old said he wanted to sell the motorcycle, the 30-year-old expressed interest and they agreed on a price of €800. All this took place in the presence of the 59-year-old.
The day after Stavros Demosthenous’s murder, the 59-year-old contacted him and asked him to come to his house, saying the 30-year-old wanted to speak to him about the motorcycle he had sold him that was used in the crime.
When the 30-year-old arrived, he told the 44-year-old the motorcycle was with police, without offering an explanation, and gave him €100, telling him to claim the motorcycle had been stolen.
Third suspect released
Only two suspects — a 58-year-old and a 30-year-old from Nicosia — were brought before Limassol District Court on Tuesday for the detention extension. The third suspect, a 39-year-old of Greek origin, was released after eight days in custody, as all indications suggest he was not involved in Stavros Demosthenous’s murder.
He owns the double-cab vehicle captured on camera at the murder scenes. The 39-year-old told philenews he denied any involvement and said he was working in the area. Asked about his movements there, he said he had gone to use drugs.
Police had earlier presented him as a “key figure” in the case, saying he was caught on CCTV at all three scenes, including in the days leading up to the murder of the 49-year-old businessman.
According to material presented to court, his vehicle — a double-cab with a distinctive grille and exhaust — was allegedly near the crime scene at the crucial time. Police claimed it then followed the van and motorcycle to the arson site before leaving via a different route.
However, these pieces of evidence appear to have fallen apart. The 39-year-old was not only ultimately not connected to the crime but was released without charge.
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