Defendant admits role in priest’s car theft linked to Demosthenous murder case

Local LimassolmurderTop Newstrial Defendant admits role in priest’s car theft linked to Demosthenous murder case Fonos Dimosthenous 2 1 1024x549 1 Relevant News Defendant admits role in priest’s car theft linked to Demosthenous murder case 16 September 2026 Christodoulides and DIKO reset as Mavroyiannis, Kenevezos eye presidency 16 September 2026 18 civil society groups tell parliament activism is not a ‘phenomenon’ over poaching row 16 September 2026 Ioanna Mantzipa 16 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol heard on Wednesday how a 30-year-old defendant, Charalambos Savva, pleaded guilty to arranging the theft of a priest’s car, in proceedings linked to the mafia-style murder of Stavros Demosthenous. Demosthenous was killed on October 17, 2025, close to his home in Limassol; Savva is the first defendant in the case. At an earlier hearing, Savva had admitted stealing a Mitsubishi Colt belonging to a priest, in a theft carried out on October 5, 2025. On Wednesday, prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou, Senior Counsel of the Republic, amended some details of the theft charge, after which Savva pleaded guilty again. The court was also asked to take into account another pending criminal case against him. According to the account read out by Hadjikyrou, the priest reported the theft of his car, worth €4,000, to Limassol CID on October 5, 2025. The vehicle had been parked near a Limassol church, where the priest had gone to attend evening prayers, and he had left the keys inside. Savva had agreed with another person to steal the vehicle, knowing that the priest habitually left his keys inside it, Hadjikyrou said. That person went and stole the car, then phoned Savva, who told him: “Come like a bullet to Nicosia and bring it.” The two met near the Nicosia State Fair grounds, and Savva paid the man €300 for stealing the vehicle. Hadjikyrou told the court that this person would be called as a prosecution witness in the case. The car was found on October 14, days before Demosthenous’s murder. None of the priest’s belongings, including his stole, the vestment worn during services, were inside it, but police found two concrete blocks containing flammable material in the vehicle. Hadjikyrou told the court that Savva has four previous convictions, also for theft-related offences, and asked that the exhibits found in the case remain in police custody. He also referred to an earlier incident in which a mobile phone was found in Savva’s cell while he was in custody over the case, at the holding cells of Limassol police headquarters. During the search, Savva said: “The thing you’re looking for is hidden behind the socket.” He said he had not used the phone. Defence counsel Dimitris Tsolakidis referred to details from a Welfare Office report, noting that Savva is the father of one child, lost his own father at a young age and was raised by his grandparents. He asked the court to weigh the value of the theft and Savva’s psychological strain, noting that Savva had recently been facing more serious charges. Tsolakidis also asked the court to take into account that the alleged perpetrator of the theft has not been prosecuted, and that the stolen car was returned to its owner. He pointed to a separate case heard by the Limassol Criminal Court involving the same offence, and asked that any sentence run from the date Savva was taken into custody, October 19, 2025. The Limassol Criminal Court set sentencing for September 23 at 9am. Three main defendants in the dock Three defendants remain on trial before the Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol over the Demosthenous killing: a 31-year-old and two 28-year-olds. They face charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit murder, arson of a vehicle, illegal possession, transport and use of a firearm, illegal possession, transport and use of explosives, and vehicle theft. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Christodoulides and DIKO reset as Mavroyiannis, Kenevezos eye presidency 18 civil society groups tell parliament activism is not a ‘phenomenon’ over poaching row Audit Office finds bodies stored for 1,040 days at Paphos hospital mortuary Hourly-paid state workers suspend Thursday strike after president talks Culture ministry staff walk out, citing hostile work environment (photos) “Sandy case”: Drousiotis, Kyriakou referred to December criminal trial ‘Black van’: Anti-Corruption Authority’s account leaves AG’s version exposed Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.