The trial into the premeditated murder of 49-year-old businessman Stavros Demosthenous begins on Tuesday at the Limassol criminal court.

The accused had appeared before the Limassol district court on January 29 and were sent to trial at the criminal court.

The defendants, two aged 28, two aged 30, one aged 31 and one aged 51, face a series of charges, including premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit murder, arson of a vehicle, the illegal possession, transportation and use of a firearm, the use of explosives and vehicle theft.

Stavros Demosthenous was shot dead while sitting in a car next to his 18-year-old son in the Ayios Athanasios area of Limassol on October 17, 2025.