A Russian citizen wanted internationally over the killing of a model and participant in the “Mrs Russia – Universe” competition has been arrested in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, according to Russia’s Interior Ministry.
Murder investigation in Russia
According to Russian authorities, the suspect had a personal dispute with a woman he knew in the Odintsovo area of the Moscow region in July 2026.
During the confrontation, he allegedly inflicted multiple injuries on the woman, resulting in her death. Russian authorities said he subsequently attempted to conceal evidence of the crime.
Criminal proceedings were launched against him for murder under Article 105 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Suspect travelled from Moscow to Turkey
Investigators determined that the suspect left Russia shortly after the killing. He reportedly flew from Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport to Turkey before travelling to the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, according to the Russian Interior Ministry.
The Moscow Region police sent an urgent request to the Turkish authorities through Interpol channels. Information shared through the channels reportedly helped investigators trace the suspect’s subsequent movements.
An international search was organised in August following an order from the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation. The suspect was eventually located in the occupied areas of Cyprus and detained.
Moscow and Ankara agree on handover
Russian Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk said cooperation between Russia’s Interpol National Central Bureau and the relevant Turkish authorities led to an agreement for the suspect to be handed over to Russian law enforcement representatives.
Following his transfer to the Russian Federation, he is expected to be handed over to the authorities that initiated the international search.
The Russian Interior Ministry described the process as cooperation directly with Turkish authorities, while identifying the Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus as the location where the suspect was located and arrested.
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