Limassol, Cyprus. The trial into the murder of businessman Stavros Demosthenous will continue on Thursday, with six defendants expected to appear before the Limassol criminal court under heightened security measures.
Charges and defendants
The defendants, aged 28 (two individuals), 30 (two individuals), 31 and 51, face charges including premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit murder, arson of a vehicle, illegal possession, transportation and use of a firearm, illegal possession, use of explosives and vehicle theft.
Allegations involving the motorcycle
One of the 30-year-old defendants is suspected of involvement in the purchase and sale of the motorcycle used by the perpetrators to flee after Demosthenous was shot in his car.
The second 30-year-old defendant, who is serving a prison sentence in an unrelated case, is alleged to have given instructions from central prison for the purchase of the motorcycle.
Evidence linked to a stolen vehicle
Genetic material belonging to the 52-year-old defendant was found inside a stolen vehicle that investigators believe was used to track the victim before the killing.
Allegations involving the van and escape
The 31-year-old defendant is accused of driving the van from which the fatal shots were fired.
He was initially arrested on suspicion of complicity, as police believed he assisted one of the two 28-year-old suspects to escape the Republic via the north.
During the investigation, he was re-arrested on additional charges and is alleged to have ordered fake license plates for the stolen vehicle used in the crime. His genetic material was also found on a hat that fell from one of the perpetrators during their escape on the motorcycle.
Arrests in Greece
The two 28-year-old suspects, who are cousins, were arrested on a European arrest warrant by Greek authorities in Thessaloniki in November.
One is believed to have fired the fatal shots at Demosthenous, while the other allegedly assisted the perpetrators using an SUV after they abandoned the motorcycle.
What do you think the court proceedings on Thursday will focus on most?