Police are now faced with an additional criminal investigation linked to the murder of businessman Stavros Demosthenous, as photographs of his body have been circulated online.
According to information obtained by Politis, the Ministry of Health has sent a formal letter to police requesting a full inquiry to determine who took the photographs, when they were taken, and how they were widely disseminatedon the internet.
The matter, described by the Ministry as “at the very least unacceptable”, will be treated as a criminal investigationrather than merely a disciplinary issue. Should any hospital personnel be found involved, their actions could constitute both disciplinary misconduct and a criminal offence, hence the police will lead the inquiry.
Demosthenous was initially transferred to Limassol General Hospital, while the autopsy was performed at the Nicosia General Hospital morgue. The investigation, once underway, is expected to cover both facilities. Early indications suggest that the authorities already have leads on where the photographs may have been taken.
Police officials confirmed that they are awaiting the official correspondence from the Ministry of Health before launching the formal probe.
Access granted to telecom data
In a separate development, investigators have obtained court orders to lift the telecommunications data of the five suspects currently in custody. The access will allow investigators to examine mobile phone communications and possibly uncover new evidence related to the killing.
The same process will also be applied to the victim’s mobile phones, which were seized by police from the outset of the investigation.
With this new access, investigators now face a large volume of digital material that will need to be carefully examined. Beyond the core facts of the case, the data may also shed light on the relationships between the suspects, potentially clarifying each individual’s role in the murder.
Five arrests so far
So far, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, though investigators believe none of them are the actual perpetrators. All are thought to have played supporting or logistical roles.
Four suspects are reportedly linked to the purchase of the motorcycle used by the gunmen to flee the scene, while a fifth suspect who allegedly assisted the perpetrators in their escape, remains in custody. His pickup truck, as well as his own movements, were observed at key moments before, during, and after the murder.