MVP

Tag: forensics

  • Nicosia fire — Nicosia fire: Nicosia Christmas Fire Victim Died from Soot Inhalation

    Nicosia fire — Nicosia fire: Nicosia Christmas Fire Victim Died from Soot Inhalation

    nicosia fire — nicosia fire — A post-mortem examination has confirmed that the victim of a tragic fire in Nicosia on Christmas Day died from soot inhalation. This finding suggests that the individual was alive when the fire broke out and inhaled smoke before being engulfed by flames.

    The autopsy, conducted on Sunday, December 28, 2025, by medical examiners Angeliki Papetta and Orthodoxos Orthodoxou, highlights the dire circumstances surrounding the incident. The victim was found burned beyond recognition in a rooftop storage room of an apartment building, a discovery made shortly after midnight on Christmas Day.

    Nicosia fire: Challenges in Identification

    Due to the severe condition of the remains, identifying the victim is proving to be a complex task. Authorities have indicated that identification will rely on DNA testing, raising concerns about the victim’s next of kin. Locating family members to obtain comparative DNA samples is a significant challenge for investigators.

    Forensic Investigations Underway

    As part of the autopsy process, forensic experts collected blood samples and teeth for laboratory analysis. These efforts aim not only to assist in identification but also to check for any underlying health issues that may have contributed to the victim’s death.

    Unanswered Questions Surrounding the Blaze

    The cause of the fire that led to this tragedy remains unclear. A joint investigation is currently being conducted by the Police, the Fire Service, and the Electromechanical Services. Their aim is to determine whether the blaze was an unfortunate accident or if there are indications of a criminal act.

    As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the shock of the incident. Local officials have expressed their condolences and are urging anyone with information related to the fire to come forward.

  • Arson attack — Targeted Arson Attack on Limassol Wine Shop Linked to Stavros Demosthenous

    Arson attack — Targeted Arson Attack on Limassol Wine Shop Linked to Stavros Demosthenous

    arson attack — A targeted arson attack on a wine shop in Germasogeia has raised alarms, particularly as this incident is connected to a foreign businessman closely associated with the late Stavros Demosthenous. The attack occurred around 03:40 on Thursday, 18 December, at a location on Georgiou Avenue.

    Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com

    According to police reports, an unidentified individual approached the shop’s entrance and used a flammable liquid to set it ablaze. Fortunately, the Fire Service responded swiftly, extinguishing the fire before it could cause extensive damage to the interior of the establishment.

    This incident follows a troubling pattern, as it marks the second criminal act against the same businessman in just three weeks. On 27 November, four luxury vehicles, valued at hundreds of thousands of euros, were destroyed in a private parking area in Mouttagiaka. The targeted nature of these attacks has led investigators to believe they may be linked to underworld pressures, possibly involving demands for protection money or disputes related to business dealings.

    The businessman is known to have had ties to Stavros Demosthenous, who was assassinated on 17 October 2025. Demosthenous, a prominent figure and former president of Karmiotissa FC, was murdered in what authorities have described as a professional hit.

    In response to the arson, the scene has been cordoned off, with forensic experts from the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Fire Service conducting a thorough examination. Although no injuries were reported, the fire caused visible damage to the shop’s glass facade and entrance.

    Detectives are currently reviewing CCTV footage from Georgiou Avenue and neighbouring businesses to track the movements of the perpetrator. Forensic samples of the flammable liquid used in the attack are also being analysed. Later today, the owner of the wine shop is expected to provide a statement at the CID offices.

    The Law Office has been kept in the loop regarding this investigation, which is still active concerning the assassination of Demosthenous. Authorities are exploring the possibility that this wave of arson is a direct continuation of the conflicts surrounding Demosthenous’s murder, which has already led to arrests in both Greece and Cyprus.

  • Prosecution Unveils New Evidence in Demosthenous Murder Case

    Prosecution Unveils New Evidence in Demosthenous Murder Case

    demosthenous murder — demosthenous murder — The murder case of businessman Stavros Demosthenous has taken a significant turn as new evidence was presented by the prosecution during court proceedings. Demosthenous was tragically gunned down last month just a few metres from his home in Limassol.

    • As of November 7, the investigation had led to the detention of at least eight suspects, with some released due to lack of evidence.

    Four suspects, all implicated in the murder, are scheduled to face trial at the Limassol criminal court on January 29. This follows an announcement made by authorities on Thursday, confirming their direct involvement.

    Demosthenous murder: New Testimonies and Evidence

    As the investigation unfolds, a key testimony has emerged from an eyewitness who observed a white van that was later set ablaze. This individual noted that the van’s right back door window was broken, and a second vehicle was present nearby, unable to pass due to the commotion. Notably, this witness described a second man at the scene who was wearing a distinctive ‘Zorro-style’ hat and glasses.

    Further strengthening the prosecution’s case, laboratory tests have revealed that DNA collected from the hat abandoned by the suspects belongs to a 31-year-old man, identified as the alleged shooter. State laboratories also discovered traces of forensic material indicating the hat was likely used by someone who either fired a gun or was in close proximity to the act.

    Profiles of the Suspects

    The prosecution’s case file outlines the roles of the suspects involved. Among them are two 30-year-olds; one is alleged to have facilitated the purchase and sale of the motorcycle used during the escape, while the other is a convicted prisoner, accused of orchestrating the murder from behind bars.

    Additionally, a 51-year-old suspect has had his DNA linked to a stolen vehicle connected to the crime, whereas the other suspect, a 31-year-old of Georgian descent, is accused of procuring fake licence plates for the getaway vehicle and assisting two Georgians in fleeing Cyprus.

    Clarifications on Nationality

    The embassy of Georgia in Nicosia has clarified that the two Georgians in question are not actual Georgian nationals but rather “Pontian Greeks”—individuals of Greek descent born in Georgia who hold Greek citizenship exclusively.

    These two suspects, aged 28, were apprehended in Thessaloniki in late October under a European arrest warrant and are currently waiting extradition back to Cyprus. They are expected to be incorporated into the trial at a later date.

    Investigative Developments

    Following their arrest, law enforcement located a vehicle with Cypriot registration at one of the suspects’ residences. This car, registered to the 31-year-old suspect, contained documents that suggested plans for their escape from Cyprus by ferry to Turkey.

    The indictment filed against the suspects includes a total of 17 charges, 16 of which apply to all four defendants. These charges encompass serious offences such as premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, arson, and illegal possession and use of firearms.

    Notably, the 51-year-old suspect faces an additional charge of receiving stolen property but remains at liberty after a court ruling on November 5 that found insufficient evidence to justify extending his detention.

    Trial Expectations

    As the case progresses, it has been assigned a serial number, although there are indications it may be refiled to include the two Georgians once their cases are officially combined. In total, the prosecution has lined up 104 witnesses, including three individuals who had previously been arrested but later released.

    Stavros Demosthenous was fatally shot on October 17 while seated in a car next to his 18-year-old son in the Ayios Athanasios area of Limassol. Police investigations suggest that the gunfire originated from a van that was directly in front of their vehicle, which was later discovered engulfed in flames. A motorcycle, believed to be linked to the murder, was also found abandoned in the vicinity.

    As of November 7, the investigation had led to the detention of at least eight suspects, with some released due to lack of evidence.