Eight-day remand for suspect in case of missing Russian women

A 32-year-old man was remanded by the Larnaca court for eight days on Friday in connection with the disappearance of two Russian women in mid-November.

The man, of Syrian origin, was arrested last Friday and is considered to be the main suspect in the case.

Police, who are investigating an abduction and probably murder case, said the 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, who is married to a Greek Cypriot, also appeared to have used the credit card of one of the missing women at various establishments. The telecommunications data of the suspect are also being analysed.

“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 had told the media.

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.

Meanwhile, police published the photo of a 23-year-old man who is also wanted in relation to the case.

Anyone who can help locate the wanted man should contact the Larnaca police department on 24804060, the nearest police station, or the citizen’s Line at 1460, police said.