A witness account describing a scream heard near the home of a 43-year-old suspect, alongside CCTV footage showing a vehicle reversing into a property and its boot being opened, was presented during court proceedings concerning the disappearance of 61-year-old Olga Vasilieva in Limassol.
The case of the missing Bulgarian woman, who was reported to have disappeared in Limassol on 23 October, was examined during today’s hearing.
Investigators from the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department (CID) requested that the 43-year-old Syrian suspect be remanded in custody for six days. The defence did not object to the request.
During the proceedings, the offence of premeditated murder was removed from the list of offences under investigation. However, the offence of abduction with intent to commit a felony, namely premeditated murder, remained under investigation.
The investigating officer’s written statement was not read aloud, while the suspect’s lawyer, Rikos Erotokritou, questioned the Limassol CID investigator.
Police cite strong indications that missing woman may be dead
According to the investigator, the woman’s disappearance was reported to police on 28 October.
He told the court that evidence gathered so far provides strong indications that the 61-year-old is no longer alive.
Investigations suggest that Vasilieva had not communicated with anyone since 21 October, while her mobile phone had been switched off.
Her vehicle was also last recorded as having been left parked on that date.
Meanwhile, her dog was discovered at her home in a neglected condition, raising further concerns, as the investigator explained that she was not known to leave the animal without care.
The woman had also failed to attend an important scheduled appointment.
Police checks found no evidence that she had left the Republic of Cyprus or crossed into the Turkish-occupied areas.
Suspect arrested at Larnaca Airport
The 43-year-old suspect was located at Larnaca Airport yesterday and subsequently taken to a police station, where he was arrested.
According to the investigator, photographs of the missing woman were published in the media on the evening of 28 October.
Witness testimony suggests that the suspect purchased airline tickets during the early hours of the following morning, 29 October.
The tickets were therefore allegedly purchased after the disappearance had been publicised and the woman’s absence had become widely known.
Witness describes scream near suspect’s residence
Particular attention was given to testimony from a local resident who reported seeing two individuals heading towards the suspect’s home, followed by the sound of a scream.
Responding to questions from defence lawyer Rikos Erotokritou, the investigator confirmed that the witness lived in the area surrounding the suspect’s residence.
The witness reportedly heard the scream and also saw the missing woman’s vehicle.
However, the testimony did not establish the exact time of the incident.
The investigator explained that the events were believed to have occurred either before 21 October or on that date.
CCTV footage shows vehicle reversing and boot being opened
The court also heard details of surveillance footage showing a vehicle reversing into the property and parking backwards.
The footage reportedly shows the vehicle’s boot being opened, after which an unidentified object appears to be placed inside.
The defence lawyer questioned why investigators believed the footage might indicate that the missing woman’s body had been placed in the vehicle.
The investigator responded: “Well, where else would it go?”
The footage has not been established as showing a body, and the circumstances surrounding the recorded movements remain under investigation.
Defence challenges connection to suspected offence
The court also heard testimony concerning a meeting between the suspect and another individual inside the residence.
Additional information suggested that the suspect had travelled towards the property with that person.
However, Erotokritou argued that there was no testimony or evidence linking these events to the offence under investigation.
The investigator was also questioned about the steps taken by police, including whether financial and banking investigations had been conducted.
He confirmed that those inquiries were ongoing.
The investigation into Vasilieva’s disappearance continues, with authorities examining witness accounts, surveillance footage and the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s movements.
Also read: Dam levels in Cyprus rise to 35.1% after rainfall
