Police investigators have expressed optimism regarding the progress of their investigation into the murder of Stavros Demosthenous, as the 44-year-old suspect was brought before the Limassol District Court on Sunday morning under tight security measures. The court issued an eight-day remand order, allowing authorities to continue their inquiries.
Following the court proceedings, the suspect was taken to Limassol CID, where he underwent his first formal, written interrogation since his arrest.
Authorities consider the arrest of the 44-year-old as an initial success, particularly in light of critical evidence in their possession, including CCTV footage. Investigators believe they have made significant headway in the case. The results of several forensic tests and the analysis of the Rolls-Royce's security systems are expected to provide further clarity in the coming days.
More suspects
According to information obtained by Politis, the suspect has made specific claims during his statement that may widen the scope of the investigation. At least two additional individuals are now under the scrutiny of investigators, and new arrest warrants could be issued as early as Sunday.
These two individuals are reportedly linked to the motorcycle in question, with the suspect insisting not only on his lack of involvement in the murder but also claiming he never possessed the motorcycle at all.
Mapping out the crime
Investigators are working to precisely map out the geographical and chronological path followed by the perpetrators and any accomplices, both after the murder and the subsequent torching of the van used in the crime.
Although authorities have secured substantial CCTV footage tracing the route of the suspects, there are still key gaps. According to courtroom testimony, just before the van was set alight, CCTV captured a motorcycle - matching in type and colour the one later found and linked to the 44-year-old suspect - following the van on a dirt road near Germasogeia, where it was eventually discovered burned.
This detail raises questions about the motorcycle's location in the moments leading up to and during the crime. Investigators appear to have ruled out the possibility that the motorcycle was inside the van. The prevailing theory is that it was located elsewhere, or that a third accomplice was operating it independently, assisting those in the van with their escape. Further review of CCTV footage is expected to shed light on this.
The weapon
Uncertainty remains over how the murder weapon was transported following the burning of the van. While ballistic tests may provide more detail about the weapon's type, investigators are also examining whether it could have been carried in the backpack of the motorcycle passenger or passed to a third party for disposal.
Notably, the weapon was not burned inside the van - an omission that remains a key line of inquiry.
Police are also believed to be searching for at least one additional vehicle believed to have been used in the execution of the crime. It is thought this vehicle helped transport the assailants after they abandoned the motorcycle in the Ayios Tychonas area.