Limassol businessman shot, dies on way to hospital

A well-known Limassol businessman was shot on Friday morning and died on the motorway on the way to hospital.

The man, identified as 49-year-old Stavros Demosthenous, was most well-known for serving as chairman of second division football club Karmiotissa FC.

The fatal shot was fired at around 9.30am, with Demosthenous having been riding in the passenger seat of a car being driven by his 18-year-old son. 

“The shooting took place about 500 metres from the victim’s home, while the vehicle was moving,” police spokeswoman Kyriaki Lambrianidou told a press conference on Friday afternoon.

“Initial information suggests that the victim was shot from a vehicle travelling in front of them.”

After the shooting, Demosthenous’ son immediately drove towards the hospital but crashed on the motorway. He then waved a car to stop and asked the driver to take them to hospital.

Demosthenous was taken to the Limassol general hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The police said the suspects are believed to have been travelling in a white van, which left the scene immediately after the shots were fired.

The vehicle believed to have been used by the attackers was reported stolen on September 4. It was later found burning near the scene and has been seized by police for forensic examination. Investigators say they are tracing CCTV footage and witness accounts to map the car’s movements since the theft and link it to the suspects.

The police have said the murder appears to have been extensively planned in advance.

“This is a very serious and well-organised criminal act, with extensive investigative work underway. Statements are being taken from witnesses and various pieces of information are being examined. No arrests have been made so far,” Lambrianidou said.

She added that “anyone with information is urged to contact the police” and that the police is “committed to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice”.

“The testimony of the witnesses has not yet been given. Therefore, we call on you to be patient. We understand everyone’s concern and interest, since this is a public figure and a criminal act which we are monitoring. We are trying to identify other witnesses,” she said.

Demosthenous’ son was not physically harmed during the incident.

The investigations which began on the motorway, where the car came to a halt, caused heavy traffic congestion in and around Limassol, with the motorway only reopening to traffic at 2pm.

Demosthenous was well-known in football circles, as, in addition to being chairman of Karmiotissa FC, he had previously served as chairman of top tier Aris Limassol FC.

A few months ago, his name was discussed during speculation regarding who would replace the outgoing Giorgos Koumas as chairman of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), but he did not run for the post.

After Koumas resigned, Demosthenous was quoted as saying that the CFA needed a fundamental change and new faces.

Karmiotissa were scheduled to play Asil Lysi on Friday, but the game has been postponed.

Demosthenous also owned Democars, a used luxury car dealership based in Limassol.