Police investigating the execution-style murder of Karmiotissa football club chairman Stavros Demosthenous have recovered a motorcycle believed to have been used by the killers to escape after the meticulously planned attack.
The motorbike was discovered in a coastal area of Limassol on Saturday following a tip-off, matching the description of the vehicle allegedly used by suspects after they torched the van from which they shot the 49-year-old businessman.
Forensic examinations are now underway to definitively establish whether the motorcycle was used in the brazen daylight assassination that has shocked Cyprus and the football community.
Fatal Gunshot Wound to Head Confirmed
A forensic examination conducted on Saturday confirmed that a gunshot wound to the head caused Demosthenous’ death in the attack that saw him struck by three bullets despite an estimated 13 shots being fired.
The football club chairman was gunned down at approximately 9.30am on Friday whilst travelling as a passenger in a car driven by his 18-year-old son, just 500 metres from his home in Limassol.
Demosthenous was well-known in Cypriot football circles, having previously served as chairman of top-tier club Aris Limassol before taking over at second division side Karmiotissa. He also owned Democars, a luxury used car dealership based in Limassol.
Shell Casings and Clothing Found at Crime Scene
Police spokesperson Christodoulos Konsolos revealed investigators have recovered crucial evidence linking the suspects to the killing.
“We have already found shell casings from a firearm in the vehicle used by the perpetrators, whilst a hat believed to have been worn by one of them was also found near the scene,” Konsolos said.
Although no shell casings were recovered directly at the site where Demosthenous was shot, the forensic evidence from the getaway vehicle and surrounding area is providing investigators with vital clues about the perpetrators’ identities.
Two Gunmen in Coordinated Attack
According to the police investigation, two perpetrators drove ahead of Demosthenous and his son in a white van before executing their carefully orchestrated ambush.
When the van slowed down, one man exited through the rear door and allegedly opened fire with an automatic weapon. A second man then emerged through the passenger door and also shot at the victim before both fled the scene.
The calculated nature of the attack, with gunmen positioned to exit from different doors and engage the target with automatic weapons, suggests professional execution and extensive planning.
The white van was later discovered burning in the Yermasoyeia area, an apparent attempt by the killers to destroy forensic evidence. However, the recovery of shell casings from inside the vehicle indicates the fire did not completely eliminate all traces of the crime.
Football Club Chairman’s Son Witnessed Brutal Attack
Demosthenous’ 18-year-old son, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the attack, witnessed the entire horrific incident as gunmen murdered his father and has provided crucial testimony to investigators.
After his father was shot, the teenager attempted to drive to the hospital but crashed on the motorway in his desperate bid to save his father’s life.
He then flagged down another driver and pleaded for help to reach the hospital, where Demosthenous was pronounced dead despite medical efforts.
The psychological trauma experienced by the young man, who watched helplessly as gunmen murdered his father in front of him, adds a deeply tragic human dimension to the case.
Cyprus Football Association Postpones Karmiotissa Matches
The Cyprus Football Association confirmed the tragic news and announced the postponement of all Karmiotissa matches until the following Sunday.
“Due to today’s tragic events concerning the President of Karmiotissa Polemidion, Stavros Demosthenous, the CFA has decided to postpone all matches of the Karmiotissa team in the Men’s, Youth, and Children’s Championships that were scheduled from today until next Sunday,” the association said in a statement.
“The President, the members of the Board of Directors, the General Manager, and the staff of the CFA express their sincere condolences to Karmiotissa and the relatives of the deceased.”
Karmiotissa had been scheduled to play Asil Lysi on Friday, but the match was immediately postponed following news of the chairman’s murder.
Extensive Investigation Underway
As part of the investigation, police continue taking statements from people in the victim’s social circle, with particular attention being paid to understanding his business dealings and potential motives for the killing.
“So far, several statements have been taken and are being evaluated, and evidence related to the case is being processed,” Konsolos said.
The head of Demosthenous’ private security team is expected to provide testimony that investigators consider crucial to the case. The fact the football club chairman employed personal security suggests he may have been aware of threats against him prior to the attack.
Police Describe “Well-Organised Criminal Act”
Authorities have characterised the murder as a meticulously planned operation carried out by experienced criminals.
“This is a very serious and well-organised criminal act, with extensive investigative work underway. Statements are being taken from witnesses and various leads are being examined. No arrests have been made so far,” police spokeswoman Kyriaki Lambrianidou told reporters on Friday afternoon.
She added that “anyone with information is urged to contact the police” and stressed that authorities are “fully committed to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice.”
The appeal for public assistance suggests police are casting a wide net in their hunt for the killers, hoping witnesses who may have seen the white van, the motorcycle, or suspicious activity in the area will come forward.
Football Club President Had High Profile in Cyprus
Demosthenous was a prominent figure in Cypriot football administration. Beyond his roles at Karmiotissa and Aris Limassol, his name had been discussed several months ago as a potential candidate to replace outgoing chairman Giorgos Koumas at the Cyprus Football Association, though he ultimately did not run for the position.
After Koumas resigned, Demosthenous was quoted as saying the CFA needed fundamental change and new faces, suggesting he had strong views about the direction of Cypriot football governance.
Karmiotissa competed in the first division last season but were relegated to the second division for the current campaign. Since its establishment in 1979, the club has primarily played in Cyprus’s lower divisions.
Professional Hit Raises Questions About Motive
The sophisticated nature of the attack, involving multiple gunmen, automatic weapons, a getaway vehicle that was torched, and an escape motorcycle, bears the hallmarks of a professional assassination rather than a crime of passion or opportunistic violence.
The use of an estimated 13 rounds, with three striking the target fatally, suggests the attackers were determined to ensure Demosthenous’ death and were equipped with significant firepower.
The choice of location, just 500 metres from the victim’s home, indicates the perpetrators had detailed knowledge of his movements and routines, suggesting either surveillance or inside information.
The employment of private security by Demosthenous raises questions about whether he had received threats or was involved in activities that put him at risk, details that will likely emerge as the investigation progresses.
Police sources told local media they are treating the killing as a contract murder with the hallmarks of a gangland score-settling, according to reports.
Cyprus Shocked by Brazen Daylight Murder
The execution-style killing in broad daylight on a Limassol street has sent shockwaves through Cyprus and the football community, where such violent crimes are relatively rare.
The calculated nature of the attack and the apparent ease with which the perpetrators struck before escaping has raised concerns about organised crime and the potential for further violence.
Authorities face pressure to swiftly identify and apprehend those responsible to reassure the public and demonstrate that such brazen criminality will not be tolerated.
The recovery of the suspected getaway motorcycle represents a significant development in the case, potentially providing forensic evidence including fingerprints, DNA, or other traces that could identify the killers.
As investigators continue piecing together the evidence, the people of Cyprus and the football community await answers about who ordered and carried out the shocking murder of Stavros Demosthenous in front of his teenage son.
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