Filenews 14 March 2023 - by Dora Christodoulou
A case of premeditated murder is now being investigated by the Police in connection with the death of 28-year-old Lesia Bykova from Ukraine, who was found dead on Saturday morning in Petra tou Romiou. This was demonstrated by the legalized autopsy on the body of the unfortunate woman, which was carried out on Sunday at the Nicosia General Hospital by forensic pathologists Angeliki Papetta and Orthodox Orthodox and lasted until 09:00pm.
From her, according to the Police, findings emerged suggesting that her death was caused by a criminal act. According to police sources, among the findings is evidence showing that the 28-year-old was also sexually abused before her death. Traces were found on her neck that were inconsistent with falling wounds. Information indicates that the deceased had a fracture in the hyoid bone that refers to strangulation. Other injuries appear to have been inflicted before her death.
Following these findings, Bykova's partner, aged 30, an expatriate permanent resident of Cyprus, was arrested on a court warrant for premeditated murder. After his arrest, the suspect underwent relevant tests from which he tested positive for drug and alcohol use. As we are informed, his past is also being examined. This is because there was allegedly information that he had previously been accused of abusive behaviour against a woman.
He denies any connection with the murder of the Ukrainian girl, insisting that after having fun in a Paphos recreation centre they went to Petra tou Romiou, where the 28-year-old wanted to be photographed. That's where the accident happened, according to his claim.
The authorities, following the findings of the coroners, however, take the criminal act for granted and continue investigations in this direction. Among other things, it is being considered that the perpetrator of the crime committed the heinous act in another place and transported the already dead woman to the location where she was found, in order to set up the story he told the authorities.
Lesia Bykova was found to have come to Cyprus on 6 January with a visitor's permit, also due to the Russian invasion of her homeland, however, information about her previous visits to the island is being examined.
The lifeless body of the 28-year-old was found on Saturday morning in the sea area of Petra tou Romiou and her partner had from the first moment claimed to the police who were alerted and arrived at the scene that it was a tragic accident in his friend's attempt to take pictures. He specifically said that the unfortunate 28-year-old went too close to the edge of the cliff to get a good shot of herself with the natural monument behind her and that she fell into the void from a great height.
According to the Police, this version is now refuted by forensic findings. In fact, the 30-year-old was brought before the Paphos District Court yesterday, which issued an eight-day detention order against him until the completion of the police investigations into the premeditated murder case.
