Evidence that appears to incriminate the 43-year-old partner of the missing Olga Vasilieva, a 61-year-old woman from Russia, were obtained by investigators from the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department, who arrested him on charges of kidnapping with intent to murder.
They believe he killed her
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of the woman, who was a permanent resident of Limassol, has been ongoing since October 28. Neighbors had complained to a friend of hers about the persistent barking of her dog over the past week, a dog she never left alone. When her lawyer went to her home accompanied by the police, they found her pet malnourished. She immediately filed an official missing person report, and the authorities issued a missing person alert that same day, October 28.
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SEE ALSO: Testimony that Olga had a relationship with the 43-year-old man; information about financial disputes
“We received some information, which was evaluated and investigated, and which reinforced our suspicions that this may be a criminal act.”
Lefteris Kyriakou – Assistant Police Director of Limassol
The Limassol Criminal Investigation Department began to unravel the case. Her partner, with whom she had been in a relationship for the past five months, has come under investigation.
Investigators obtained testimony stating that the 43-year-old man from Syros had persistently demanded a large sum of money—70,000 euros—from Vasileva, for an alleged car accident in which he was involved. According to the same testimony, the 61-year-old woman, wanting to help him, offered to return a necklace he had given her as a gift, worth 10,000 euros.
READ ALSO: New revelations: These are the reasons why they believe Olga was murdered; testimony about a scream
He was arrested at the airport
Yesterday, the suspect was arrested at Larnaca Airport, shortly before departing for Beirut. According to the police, he had purchased the ticket just a few hours after she was reported missing.
SEE ALSO: Rapid Developments: Limassol CID Investigates Murder in Connection with the Disappearance of 61-Year-Old Olga
The 43-year-old claimed that on October 21, he had met with the 61-year-old. She had parked her car at a specific location, and they then drove in his car to his home in Parekklisia, where they slept together. As Vasileva stated during his interrogation, she had subsequently told him that she was going to visit a friend in the occupied territories, and he dropped her off at the spot where she had parked her car. He stated that he had demanded 20,000 euros from the 61-year-old woman in connection with the car accident with the intent of financially exploiting her, and that the necklace he gave her was fake. He also told investigators that he was planning to travel abroad due to the illness of a close relative and that he had nothing to do with Vasileva’s disappearance.
He was not convincing
According to the police, the 43-year-old’s claims have been refuted, as testimony was obtained that a woman’s scream was heard coming from his home, and he was seen placing something in the luggage area a short time after he was seen entering the house with a woman.
In addition, women’s clothing and underwear were found in the luggage the 43-year-old was carrying upon his arrival at the airport, and these items were seized as evidence.
“The next day, her vehicle was located in the Linopetra area, where it was found parked. It was seized and transported to the Limassol Police Headquarters.”
Lefteris Kyriakou – Assistant Police Director of Limassol
Investigations at Two Locations
The 61-year-old woman’s cell phone was last detected in the Moni area on October 21 at 5:39 p.m. Since this morning, the search has focused on the area, with no results so far. Members of the Criminal Investigation Department of Police Headquarters also went to the suspect’s home to conduct a search. There, they retrieved closed-circuit footage that appears to have recorded the suspect’s last movements; he has been placed in custody for six days.
Watch Erika Kavazi’s report:
