The six defendants in the trial over the killing of Stavros Demosthenous pleaded not guilty to all 17 charges they face.
The indictment includes, among other offences, premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to murder, arson, illegal possession, transport and use of a firearm, illegal possession, transport and use of explosives, car theft and participation in a criminal organisation.
The alleged role of each defendant
A 28-year-old, described as a Greek national of Georgian origin, is alleged to have been one of the two people inside the van that cut off Demosthenous’ vehicle before the shooting. Authorities consider him the more likely gunman. According to the case file, testimony suggests that a few days after the killing he told people close to him that he had taken part in the murder.
The 28-year-old was arrested in Thessaloniki and later extradited to Cyprus. His DNA was found on a hat dropped by the perpetrators during their escape. His DNA was also allegedly detected on clothing found in a rubbish skip near the home of another defendant, including a black sports hoodie of a specific brand and grey glasses with purple lenses, which are said to resemble the description given of what one of the perpetrators was wearing.
A 31-year-old defendant is the cousin of one of the 28-year-olds and a childhood friend of the other. He is alleged to have helped the motorcycle driver escape through the north and Turkey by road to Thessaloniki, using his vehicle, which was later located there. Investigators also believe he arranged for fake number plates to be made for one of the vehicles involved.
Police believe he had substantial involvement in the case and was inside the van. He is also alleged to have been the person wearing the Zorro-style hat. Scientific analysis of the hat detected particles containing lead and antimony, which are compatible with gunshot residue. According to the case file, this could indicate that the hat was worn by a person who may have fired or handled a weapon, was very close to a weapon when it was discharged, or had handled items that may have carried gunshot residue.
A second 28-year-old, also described as a Greek national of Georgian origin and cousin of the first 28-year-old, is alleged to have played a role in the escape from the area where the motorcycle was abandoned in Agios Tychonas. His vehicle was recorded by CCTV cameras in the area. He was arrested in Thessaloniki along with his cousin.
A 30-year-old defendant is alleged to be the person who bought the motorcycle without completing a legal transfer of ownership. Testimony cited in the case file suggests he knew it would be used in a criminal act. The day after the killing, he allegedly asked the owner, in return for payment, to tell police that the motorcycle had been stolen.
Another 30-year-old defendant is a Central Prisons inmate. He is alleged to have instructed the 30-year-old from Nicosia to buy the motorcycle. According to the prosecution case, he knew from inside the prison where the motorcycle was located and allegedly instructed a specific person to collect it and move it elsewhere.
The sixth defendant, aged 51, is described as a Greek national of Georgian origin. His DNA was allegedly found on containers of flammable material inside a stolen Mitsubishi Colt, which was located three days before the killing near Demosthenous’ home.
The 51-year-old remains free under conditions.
