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Police confirmed Friday that a stolen white van was used in the premeditated murder of football executive and businessman Stavros Demosthenous, 49, who was shot multiple times while riding in a car driven by his 18-year-old son near their home in Limassol.
According to investigators, the shooting occurred around 9:30 a.m., about 500 meters from the victim’s residence in the Sfalangiotissa area. Authorities believe the gunmen opened fire from a vehicle traveling ahead of Demosthenous’ car.
The son, who was driving, attempted to rush his father to the hospital, but their vehicle crashed into another car on the highway near Tsirio Stadium, heading toward Paphos. Police units quickly arrived at both the crash site and the original scene of the shooting, which were cordoned off for forensic examination.
A short time later, officers were alerted to a van burning in the Germasogeia area. Investigators determined that the vehicle matched the description of the suspects’ getaway van and had been reported stolen in the Nicosia District on Sept. 4.
Photo credit: Photo Kokos, via 24news
Late Friday evening, police sources said that evidence had been found at the burned van site, including a baseball cap believed to have been left behind by the perpetrators. The item has been sent for forensic analysis in an effort to extract DNA or other identifying material.
Videos circulating on social media earlier in the day showed paramedics transferring Demosthenous to an ambulance on the highway. Authorities urged the public to avoid sharing distressing footage out of respect for the victim’s family.
Police Spokesperson Kyriaki Lambrianidou said the investigation remains fully active and ongoing. She added that the primary objective is to secure evidence and testimony that will lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators, and asked for the public’s cooperation and understanding as the case unfolds.
File photo 24news
A post-mortem examination will be conducted Saturday by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Nikola Charalambous.
Demosthenous, a former president of the Karmiotissa and Aris Limassol football clubs and owner of a luxury car dealership, was a well-known figure in Cypriot sports and business circles. Police have described the killing as a professional, premeditated attack.
Authorities are urging anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact the Limassol Police Directorate or call the Citizen’s Line.
With information from 24news.
