Photo published of man wanted over disappearance of two women

Police on Thursday made a public plea for information to help locate a 23-year-old man wanted in connection with the disappearance of two Russian women in mid-November.

A photo of the Syrian Omran Hmadai was published on the police’s website under wanted persons. An arrest warrant was issued against him on Monday.

“Anyone who knows anything which can help locate him, should contact the Larnaca police department at 24804060, the nearest police station, or the citizen’s Line at 1460,” police said.

A 32-year-old Syrian man, who is married to a Greek Cypriot, has already been remanded as the main suspect in the case.

The investigation into possible foul play was launched last Friday after police received information implicating the suspect.

The two women Alraeesi Khaiat, 43 and Mariia Gazibagandova, 33, arrived in Cyprus as tourists, one at the beginning of summer, the other around one and a half months ago.

They were reported missing from their Larnaca residence on November 17.

“We are trying to find out what are the motives behind this… because so far we do not have anything tangible. One of them had recently arrived [in Cyprus] and all these play their role,” police spokesman Christos Andreou told Alphanews.

Police said the detained suspect had spent time with the two women at a holiday home in Amiandos, where he had been carrying out construction work. The owner of the home did not know this.

Officers found blood which matched the DNA of one of the women at the cottage. Blood was also found on a mini excavator that was being used in the construction work.

The 32-year-old also appeared to have used the credit card of one of the missing women at various establishments. The telecommunication data of the suspect are also being analysed.