The trial for the premeditated murder of 49-year-old businessman Stavros Demosthenous, who was killed on 17 October 2025, begins on Tuesday with six defendants: two aged 30, one 31, one 51, and two 28.
Common indictment
The six suspects first appeared in the Criminal Court on 29 January 2026. Initially, four were charged separately from the two 28-year-olds, who were recently arrested in Thessaloniki by Greek authorities under a European arrest warrant.
To allow a single indictment, the separate cases were temporarily suspended. The defendants were remanded before the District Court and referred back to the Criminal Court for trial starting tomorrow.
Charges against the defendants
The six face charges including:
- Premeditated murder
- Conspiracy to commit a felony
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- Vehicle arson
- Illegal possession, transfer, and use of firearms
- Illegal possession, transfer, and use of explosives
- Vehicle theft
Suspect involvement
- One 30-year-old is linked to the purchase of the motorcycle used during the escape after the van was set on fire.
- The other 30-year-old, already serving a sentence for a separate case, allegedly instructed the purchase from prison.
- DNA from the 51-year-old, released on conditions, was found in a stolen vehicle used to follow the victim.
- The 31-year-old is alleged to have driven the van from which shots were fired and later arranged fake plates for the stolen vehicle. DNA linked him to a hat dropped during the escape.
- One 28-year-old is believed to be the shooter, while the other 28-year-old allegedly drove the perpetrators in an SUV after they abandoned the motorcycle.
Also read: Demosthenous murder: 51-year-old suspect released on bail
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