Newsroom
Police are investigating a brutal murder committed Friday morning shortly before 10 a.m., with the victim identified as 49-year-old Stavros Demosthenous, a well-known figure in Cyprus football and local business circles.
Demosthenous, formerly from Limassol, had long been involved with local football teams, serving as president of Karmiotissa and Aris. Earlier this year, he came under the spotlight during the Cyprus Football Federation’s leadership shake-up following George Koumas’ resignation, though he ultimately did not run for the presidency himself. At the time, he said a “radical change” was needed in the federation to bring “new blood” into Cypriot football.
Authorities say the suspected gunman was riding a motorcycle when he opened fire on Demosthenous inside his Rolls-Royce Wraith on the Limassol highway. Heavy police units rushed to the scene and have cordoned off the area for forensic examination. The highway remains closed while the manhunt continues.
The attack has already caused disruptions in the local football schedule, with today’s Karmiotissa vs. ASIL match postponed.
Outside of football, Demosthenous ran DEMOCARS, a Limassol-based luxury car dealership specializing in high-end brands such as Maserati, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Bentley, and Tesla.
Authorities have confirmed this was a targeted attack and are actively investigating to locate the perpetrator or perpetrators. Witnesses and nearby CCTV footage are being reviewed as the investigation continues.
**This is a developing story. KNEWS will provide updates as new information emerges.
