Greek authorities have arrested two suspects in Thessaloniki in connection with the ongoing Demosthenous murder investigation, which police now believe was a planned contract killing.
According to journalist Stergios Samartzis, speaking on Skai TV’s Protoselido programme, European arrest warrants had been issued against the two men and executed on Thursday (30 October). Investigators are confident that both suspects played direct roles in the killing of Stavros Demosthenous- one as the gunman, and the other as the driver of the white van used in the crime.
Second cousins with links to Cyprus
Both suspects are 28 years old, born in 1997, and related as second cousins. They were born in Greece, have Georgian origins, and had been living in Cyprus for the past several years. One lived with his parents in Cyprus, while the other lived with his father- his mother residing in Greece. Neither man has a criminal record in Greece.
The two suspects are expected to appear before the Thessaloniki Court of Appeal’s Prosecutor to begin extradition proceedings to Cyprus.
Police believe death contract was signed
After two weeks of investigation, police have concluded that a death contract had been signed against Stavros Demosthenous. The movements and actions of the suspects indicate careful preparation, organisation, and determination, suggesting the killing was premeditated and professionally executed.
When asked when the suspects returned to Greece, Samartzis said they fled just hours after the murder, initially travelling to Athens before moving on to Thessaloniki. The men were arrested separately in different homes.
Authorities continue to pursue leads in the Demosthenous murder investigation, which has drawn attention in both Cyprus and Greece due to its calculated nature.
Also read: Demosthenous murder: Two Cypriots and one Greek arrested
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