Murdered woman was strangled, arrest warrant issued for wanted man (updated)

A woman found dead in her apartment on Sunday was strangled, police said on Monday as an arrest warrant was issued for the main suspect, thought to have crossed to the north.

The 35-year-old Ukrainian was found half-naked, bound and gagged on the floor of a Limassol apartment at around 1am on Sunday, hours after she had allegedly arranged to meet the suspect, a 25-year-old asylum seeker.

The victim appears to have been strangled with a bath towel and her body was bruised with her nose broken, leading police to examine the scenario of a struggle, possibly over renumeration.

A friend of the woman, who was looking for her together with the apartment manager, discovered the body and called the police.

The friend, aged 30, on Monday appeared before Limassol district court after her arrest on charges of prostitution and pimping.

The arrest warrant was issued for Erkan Alkan, 25. According to the police, he was the last person known to have contact with the victim, whom he had arranged to meet on Saturday to have sexual intercourse.

The 30-year-old appears to be the person who arranged for the date, as well as managing a related smart phone app.

The appointment had allegedly been arranged for 8pm on Saturday night for a three-hour duration, with a cost of €350.

The court heard she had posted a personal ad on a social media platform for the victim’s services. The victim paid the suspect €40 a day for use of the apartment, and also paid her €50 a day when she entertained clients.

The suspect, when arrested by the police, said she did not know what she was doing was illegal.

Investigations are at an early stage, police said and while four statements have been taken 15 more are set to follow.

At the same time, an investigation is expected to be carried out and the suspect’s mobile phones and computer examined, while another girl who appears to be involved in the appointments made with the victim is being sought.

The 30-year-old was remanded for four days.

Police said the attacker had gone to the 35-year-old’s apartment, departed and returned a short time later.

Various documents were taken from the scene for examination, including personal belongings of the male suspect which he left behind, as well as the victim’s mobile phone.

Limassol CID chief Lefteris Kyriakou said that evidence pointed to premeditation as the suspect arrived at the apartment with purchased plastic ties.

State examiners Angeliki Papeta and Orthodoxos Orthodoxou carried out an autopsy at the scene and a post mortem was also carried out at 3.30pm at the Nicosia general hospital on Sunday, the results of which were announced later in the evening.

Alkan is a political asylum seeker from Turkey, whose photo and information have been published on the official police website as well as to the exit points of the island, including the crossing points.

Police have issued an appeal for any information that can help locate the wanted man. Information can be shared via the citizen’s line on 1460 or reporting to the nearest police station.