Remand for second double-murder suspect

A 30-year-old man from Syria arrested in connection with the double murder of two Russian tourists in Limassol was remanded in court for eight days on Sunday.

Appearing without a lawyer, he told court he was willing to cooperate with authorities after admitting he lied in his initial statement.

He is the second suspect to be arrested in connection with the murder of Alraeesi Khaiat, 43 and Mariia Gazibagandova, 33, who arrived in Cyprus as tourists, one at the beginning of summer, the other almost two months ago.

A 32-year-old man from Syrian admitted to murdering the two women who were reported missing from their Larnaca residence on November 17.

Following his confession, police arrested the 30-year-old on Saturday as they were led to believe the two men are friends.

Initially, he told officers that on November 13, he saw the 32-year-old in Limassol and gave him cigarettes and drinks. He claimed to have seen the two women in the car.

The suspect told police a blue car with two passengers was tailing the 32-year-old. He claimed he stayed at his mother-in-law’s house that night and it was the last time he had seen the 32-year-old.

Nonetheless, police found DNA evidence linking him to one of the victims and he was arrested and interrogated for a second time.

He admitted to police that his initial statement contained some lies and that he too had gone to the Larnaca residence with the 32-year-old, the two women and another two individuals on November 13.