Six defendants on Friday pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against them in connection with the murder of businessman Stavros Demosthenous, who was killed in Limassol in October last year.

The six appeared before the Limassol criminal court, where they were formally charged with 15 offences.

Fourteen of the charges are common to all six defendants and include premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, theft and arson of a vehicle, unlawful possession, transportation and use of a firearm and explosives, as well as participation in a criminal organisation.

A fifteenth charge was brought solely against the third defendant and concerns the acceptance of a vehicle while allegedly knowing it was stolen property.

All six entered ‘not guilty’ pleas to the charges.

The court set a series of dates for the hearing of the case, which is scheduled to continue on September 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, 28, 29 and 30.

The third defendant remains free under restrictive conditions.

Meanwhile, lawyers representing the fourth and fifth defendants raised objections to their continued detention, with proceedings on the matter still ongoing.

Demosthenous, 49, who was known for his role as chairman of Karmiotissa FC, was shot dead while travelling in a vehicle driven by his 18-year-old son in the Ayios Athanasios area of Limassol.

Investigators allege that the attack involved multiple vehicles, including a van and a motorcycle.

Following the shooting, Demosthenous’ son attempted to drive his father to hospital before crashing on a motorway and seeking assistance from another driver.

Demosthenous was later pronounced dead at the Limassol general hospital.