The prosecution on Tuesday announced it was discontinuing proceedings against three of the six defendants, , two 30-year-olds and a 51-year-old, standing trial over the murder of 49-year-old Limassol businessman Stavros Demosthenous.

The decision concerning defendants one, two and three was announced before the Limassol criminal court.

During the hearing, prosecutors first amended the charge sheet by adding a 16th charge, relating solely to the first defendant, a 30-year-old, over the theft of a priest’s vehicle on October 5, 2025. He pleaded guilty.

The prosecution then announced it was discontinuing the 14 charges faced jointly by the three men, as well as a 15th charge faced solely by the 51-year-old.

The first defendant will now be sentenced for the vehicle theft, while the second 30-year-old returned to the Central Prisons, where he is serving a sentence in a separate case. The 51-year-old, who had been free under restrictive conditions, was released from those conditions.

The criminal court set September 16 for the presentation of facts and sentencing of the 30-year-old. The next steps in proceedings against the remaining three defendants, a 31-year-old and two 28-year-olds, are also expected to be determined.

The six defendants had previously pleaded not guilty to 15 charges, including premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, vehicle theft and arson, illegal possession, transportation and use of a firearm and explosives, and participation in a criminal organisation.

Demosthenous, a businessman and former chairman of Karmiotissa FC, was shot dead on October 17, 2025, while travelling in a car driven by his 18-year-old son near his home in the Ayios Athanasios area of Limassol.

Investigators said the attack involved several vehicles. A van used in the shooting was later set on fire, while a motorcycle was allegedly used by the perpetrators to flee the area.

The trial had been scheduled to resume on Tuesday, September 8, with further hearing dates set throughout September.

More to follow…