zorro hat — The focus keyword, Zorro hat, emerges in a chilling context as the prosecution outlines the alleged roles of four defendants in the murder of 53-year-old Stavros Demosthenous. The businessman was shot outside his Limassol home on 8 October 2025, and details surrounding the case were revealed during a pre-trial detention hearing at the Limassol District Court.
As the case progresses, it has officially moved to the Criminal Court, with hearings set to commence on 29 January 2026. Investigators from the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are keen to secure the detention of the four existing defendants while also anticipating the arrival of two Georgian nationals, both 28 years old, whose extradition is pending. Their addition to the charge sheet is expected once they reach Cyprus.
While law enforcement has yet to confirm a motive, early indications suggest that financial or business disputes may be at the heart of this tragic incident. The prosecution has gathered a staggering 104 witnesses to support their case against the defendants.
Prosecutor Yiannos Argyrou argued for pre-trial detention based on the significant risks posed by the defendants, including the likelihood of flight, the potential for committing further offences, and the danger of influencing witnesses. He expressed concern regarding two defendants, aged 51 and 31, who reportedly lack “strong ties to the Republic of Cyprus,” thereby increasing their flight risk.
Argyrou emphasised that the defendants face serious charges under the Penal Code, citing court precedents to bolster his argument that the evidence presented creates a high probability of conviction. The defence, represented by lawyer Alexandros Alexandrou for the 51-year-old defendant, promptly objected to the detention request, while other legal teams indicated they would address the issue of detention at a later stage.
As the prosecution continued, they presented critical evidence linking the suspects to the crime scene. Testimony from Demosthenous’ son described the motorcycle driver as wearing a round hat and black glasses. Notably, the prosecutor confirmed that genetic material found on a hat recovered from the scene matched that of the fourth defendant, the 31-year-old.
Further analysis from the State Laboratory supported the prosecution’s claims, as particles found on the hat were consistent with the discharge of a weapon or being in close proximity to one. Witness accounts added depth to the evidence; one individual observed the motorcycle fleeing the scene and described the driver as wearing a carnival mask representing an elderly man.
Another witness provided insight into the events following the shooting. This person testified to seeing a male exit a burning white van, run towards the motorcycle, and hop onto the driver’s seat. This witness detailed that the second rider on the motorcycle was adorned with a “Zorro-style” hat and glasses, further corroborating the prosecution’s narrative.
The evidence file prepared for the defence includes a considerable number of witness statements collected throughout the investigation, ensuring that the defence teams will have ample material to work with as they prepare for the upcoming trial.
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