Pafos Live 1/11
A foreigner permanent resident of Paphos from an EU country was found driving his vehicle last night with 98 kilometers instead of 50 which is the limit on Tasos Papadopoulos Avenue.
The young man was also reported for other violations of the traffic code, while the case for exceeding the speed limit will be registered on Monday for immediate trial.
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Searches in three houses and premises in the Limassol district were carried out this morning by members of the Poaching Unit of the MMAD, by virtue of court warrants.
Specifically, during the search carried out at the home and premises owned by a 39-year-old man, 70 full cartridges of a prohibited type were found and received as evidence.
The 39-year-old was taken to the Offices of the TAE Limassol where he was charged in writing and released to be summoned before a Court.
Also, in a search carried out at the home and premises of a 47-year-old man, 33 military cartridges of 7,62mm calibre were found and received as evidence, resulting in his arrest for a flagrante delicto. The 47-year-old was later brought before the Limassol District Court, which issued a three-day detention order.
Finally, in a search carried out at the home and premises of a 50-year-old, the sum of €14,000 was found as well as a flambert-type weapon, for which he did not have a possession license. Both the amount of money and the weapon were taken as evidence while the 50-year-old was arrested and taken into custody.
The TAE Limassol continues the examinations.
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Filenews
TAE investigations are in full swing in areas of the Limassol district, as part of the investigation of the case of the disappearance of 61-year-old Olga Vasilyeva, with the authorities examining a murder case. Since Saturday morning (31/10), according to information from Filenews, searches have been carried out in the area of the Moni, where the last location of the woman's mobile phone was recorded on October 21, as well as in the home of the 43-year-old suspect. At the same time, the 43-year-old's vehicle was also received to be examined by the Criminal Investigation Service of the Police Headquarters.
Investigators are evaluating testimonies and evidence, while efforts continue to locate the 61-year-old. As the Assistant Police Director of Limassol, Lefteris Kyriakou, stated in his statements, the investigations are ongoing, with the Police examining all the evidence before them.
The disappearance of the 61-year-old was reported on the afternoon of October 28 to the TAE Limassol and the protocol for the missing persons was immediately activated. From the first examinations, suspicions arose that it may have been a criminal act, said Mr. Kyriakou.
As he explained, after the photo of the missing woman was made public, on the same night, information was received which was evaluated by the investigators and strengthened their suspicions. The investigations led to the 43-year-old Syrian, who, according to Mr. Kyriakou, after the publication of the photo of the 61-year-old, issued online air tickets, attempting to depart from Cyprus. He was located and stopped, and then arrested on a court warrant.
The 43-year-old was brought before the Limassol Court, which approved the Police's request for a six-day detention order. The crime under investigation concerns kidnapping for the purpose of murder.
In relation to the ongoing investigations, Mr. Kyriakou stated that from the day after the complaint, searches were carried out in various places, including in the area of Linopetra, where a vehicle of the 61-year-old was found, which was received by the Police.
At the same time, examinations were carried out in open spaces, based on information about the last points from which the 61-year-old's mobile phone had emitted a signal. As he confirmed, the suspect's vehicle was located and received by the authorities, while two items of women's clothing that were found in his luggage during his attempt to leave Cyprus are also under the microscope.
Regarding the possibility of a financial motive, the Assistant Police Director of Limassol stated that, according to testimony presented before the Court, the 61-year-old and the arrested man seem to have had a love affair. The 43-year-old, according to the testimony, had told the missing woman that he owed a large amount of money for his personal issue and was asking her for financial help. This issue seems to have been a point of friction between them.
Asked whether there is a specific direction for locating the 61-year-old, Mr. Kyriakou said that so far the main element that the authorities have before them is the last location of her mobile phone, without any evidence that leads to her location so far.
The investigations continue, with the Police examining and waiting for the results of the scientific examinations on the items that have been received.
Update 1 - Filenews
Murder of Olga Vasilyeva: He hit her on the head with a blunt instrument and threw her into the well - The 61-year-old's lawyer reveals to filenews the path of the crime and how they got to the perpetrator - The photo with the dog and the withdrawals of money
The barking of a dog, the concern of the neighbours and a photo that reached the hands of the authorities were important elements in the course of investigating the disappearance of 61-year-old Olga Vasilyeva, which ended in a murder case. The lawyer and close friend of the woman, Pambos Ioannou, was the one who mobilized when he was informed that her dog was barking persistently in her apartment, while she did not give signs of life. As he revealed, Olga was never used to leaving her animal alone, which made him suspect that something bad had happened to her.
His trip to the apartment with the Police, on October 23, confirmed his concerns, as the dog was found malnourished there. This was followed by communication with the 61-year-old's son, who lives in Russia, and through the information exchanged, his mother's relationship with the 43-year-old Syrian, who yesterday, confessed to her murder, began to be revealed.
As Mr. Ioannou reveals to filenews, Olga's son did not know the 43-year-old's phone or some of his details, however, he sent him a photo of the confessed perpetrator along with his mother's dog. The photo was handed over to the authorities and was one of the elements that contributed to the direction of the investigations into this man. Methodical moves followed by the investigators, who secured important evidence and testimonies, eventually leading to the arrest of the 43-year-old, shortly before he left Cyprus.
The case took a dramatic turn on Saturday night, when the 43-year-old confessed to investigators that he killed the 61-year-old and pointed to the well in the area of Saittas, where he had disposed of her body. The woman was found in a field in the area, followed by an operation to retrieve the body from the well.
According to the autopsy carried out at the scene by the medical examiner Nikolas Charalambous, the body was in an incipient stage of sepsis and had a number of head injuries. The legal autopsy on the body is expected to be performed today by the medical examiner Nicolas Charalambous at the Nicosia General Hospital.
The relationship with the 43-year-old and the outbursts of anger
The 61-year-old's lawyer, who also reported her disappearance to the authorities on October 28, said that he had also taken various actions before the official complaint. He described Olga as a particularly good person and businesswoman. As he mentioned, the woman seems to have been in love with the 43-year-old and was trying to help him, even in matters related to his behaviour and the outbursts of anger he presented.
He knew several facts about her personal life, however, as he clarified, he did not have a complete picture of her relationship with the 43-year-old. It was the communication with her son that helped gather more information about the man with whom Olga was in a relationship.
In fact, Mr. Ioannou pointed out that the 61-year-old occasionally expressed reservations that some people might try to take advantage of her, due to her financial prosperity. This is a parameter that acquires particular interest in light of the financial aspects that the investigators are examining in the context of the investigation of the case
The son of the 61-year-old is expected, as our website is informed, to arrive in Cyprus today to give a statement to the investigators of the TAE Limassol, as part of the investigations into the case. Investigators are seeking to collect all available information about Olga's personal relationships, her contacts with the 43-year-old, but also the last days before her disappearance.
Also, her son knew about the alleged car accident, as well as about the money that the confessed perpetrator allegedly demanded from the victim.
Financial motivation under the microscope
At the same time, investigators are considering the possibility that the murder is linked to financial differences.
As filenews wrote in yesterday's report, during his initial interrogation, the 43-year-old stated that he had asked the 61-year-old for a large amount of money, claiming that she had been involved in a car accident and needed about €70.000 for compensation.
As part of the investigations, the bank accounts of both the woman and the suspect are being examined. Of particular importance is attached to the information that a few days before her disappearance, and specifically before October 21, Olga had withdrawn large sums of money. Investigators are investigating the amount of money, the reason for the withdrawal and whether there is any connection with the financial demands allegedly made by the 43-year-old.
Before the Court for premeditated murder
The 43-year-old Syrian is expected to be brought before the Limassol District Court today, Sunday, now facing the crime of premeditated murder. The investigators of the TAE Limassol are expected to request the issuance of a detention order for him, in order to continue the investigations and complete the collection of witness material.
The finding of the body in a well
The body of the 61-year-old woman was found on Saturday night (31/10) at the point indicated by the 43-year-old suspect, who had earlier confessed to her murder. The Syrian indicated to the investigators that he threw the woman's body into a well in the area of Saittas, in mountainous Limassol.
Members of the Limassol Police Department went to the scene, which was placed under police control, and carried out investigations that led to the location of the body.
According to information from our website, the body has a head injury, which is estimated to have been caused by a blunt instrument. The exact causes and circumstances of the death of the 61-year-old are expected to be determined through forensic examinations.
Despite the discovery of the body, the investigative work continues at an intensive pace. Under the microscope of the investigators of the TAE Limassol are the closed circuit monitoring systems of the area, in an attempt to map the movements of the 43-year-old and to secure additional testimony regarding the transport and concealment of the body.
Investigators are also examining the circumstances under which the specific spot was chosen, as it is estimated that the 43-year-old knew the area and the existence of the well, which he allegedly used to hide the woman's body. It should be noted that the field belongs to the 61-year-old, with whom the 43-year-old had a love affair.
Update 2 - Filenews
Without the representation of a lawyer, the 43-year-old confessed perpetrator of the murder of 61-year-old Olga Vasilieva appeared today, Sunday (01/11), before the Limassol District Court, for the issuance of a detention order for the crime of premeditated murder.
The investigator of the TAE Limassol, Stelios Andreou, stated that on the same day, a search was carried out at the suspect's home, during which various items were found, which were received for scientific examinations.
Subsequently, the 43-year-old expressed the desire to make a voluntary statement and admitted that he killed the victim using a hammer. According to what he said, while they were at home, the victim insulted him, as a result of which he got angry and took a hammer and hit her.
Particularly shocking is the description of what followed. The suspect said he left the woman's body inside his home overnight. The next day he placed her in his vehicle and transported her to a rural area in the village of Saittas in the Limassol district, where he threw her into a sewer pit.
He also stated that he threw the hammer on a wooden pergola in his house. After his confession, he pointed out to the investigators the place where he had disposed of the victim's body.
Members of EMAK were called to the scene, who pulled the victim's body out of the pit. An examination by a medical examiner Nikolas Charalambous followed, where it was found that the body was in an initial stage of sepsis and had multiple injuries in the head area.
The Limassol District Court approved the Police's request to issue a detention order for the 43-year-old suspect for a period of eight days, in order to facilitate the investigations and further investigation of the case.
The investigative team has a large amount of work ahead of it, as, according to what was presented to the court, it is estimated that it will be necessary to take about 80 testimonies from persons in the family and social environment of both the suspect and the victim, as well as from other people who may know information about the case.
At the same time, the authorities are planning to examine a large number of recordings from closed circuit surveillance. The focus will be on the routes followed by the 43-year-old and the 61-year-old, as well as the material from the wider area where the body was found.
At the same time, requests are expected to be submitted to the court for the issuance of decrees that will allow access to telecommunications data and recorded content of private communications. Requests will also be registered for the disclosure of bank details and accounts of both the suspect and the 61-year-old, as according to investigators, there is a suspicion that the suspect was taking advantage of the victim and extorting various amounts of money from her.
In addition, four investigations are planned in specific areas, with the aim of identifying further evidence. Authorities are also expected to work with Interpol to investigate and verify some of the suspect's allegations about his reasons for returning to the country.
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A new incident of criminal activity against the 60-year-old Ukrainian businessman took place in the early hours of the morning in Limassol, after the malicious fire in his restaurant in the Old Port. This is the second incident against him in a few months, as on September 16, unknown persons had fired shots at a building in Linopetra, where his companies are housed.
The fire broke out around 5:15 in the morning in the restaurant, owned by the 60-year-old and according to the examinations it was maliciously set with the use of flammable material. The incident caused damage to the store's showcase.
As the Assistant Police Director of Limassol, Lefteris Kyriakou, stated in his statements, around 5:15 in the morning information was received about a fire in a restaurant in the Marina area. The Fire Service and members of the Limassol Police Department were immediately mobilized, who went to the scene and cordoned off the area.
The fire was extinguished by the Fire Service, while on-site examinations revealed that it appears to have been set maliciously using flammable material. Investigations at the scene continue, with the aim of securing testimony and evidence that could lead to the identification of the perpetrators.
Mr. Kyriakou confirmed that the owner of the restaurant had been the target of criminal activity in the past. He underlined that during the investigation of the previous case, the businessman had made allegations that he was receiving threats, which he had linked to disputes he allegedly had with specific persons. His allegations were investigated by the Police, without a positive result so far, while the case is still being investigated.
In relation to the new attack, Mr. Kyriakou stated that a new statement is expected to be received from the businessman, in order to determine whether there were recent threats or any other evidence that could help the investigations.
Asked whether there are closed surveillance circuits in the area, Mr. Kyriakou said that relevant footage has been secured, which is being evaluated by the investigators.
Investigations continue, with the Police examining all possibilities, as well as whether the new attack on the restaurant is connected to the previous shooting case.
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Filenews
The presence and action of the Police last night was intense, throughout Cyprus, with organized patrols in key points of urban areas, with the aim of preventing serious criminal acts, ensuring public order and increasing the sense of security of the public.
As a result of the preventive police operations, six people were arrested for various offenses such as driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without a driver's license and theft.
As part of these operations, during the night, 850 vehicles were stopped for inspection and 1,117 persons on board were checked. At the same time, inspections were carried out in 52 premises with the aim of dealing with phenomena of delinquency, without complaints arising.
During traffic checks carried out, 210 complaints were made, concerning various traffic violations, while 14 investigated cases of traffic violations also emerged.
Of the complaints made, 113 concerned exceeding the speed limit, while as part of the police examinations, 13 vehicles were detained.
519 alcohol tests were carried out, from which 18 complaints emerged, as well as 4 preliminary drug tests with 3 positive results.
Policing operations, for the prevention and suppression of crime, continue daily, with an increased/enhanced police presence, targeted controls and immediate operational action, with the aim of increasing the sense of security of citizens/protecting citizens and ensuring public order.
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Under the microscope of the investigators of the TAE Limassol are the movements and contacts of the two arrested, a 26-year-old man from Israel and a 21-year-old woman from Brazil, in whose possession a loaded double-barrel with cut barrels and 11 full cartridges were found.
The two suspects, who were brought before the Limassol Court today and were detained for five days. The two claimed that they were in the city for a walk, as they live in another city in Cyprus. However, the investigators do not rule out the possibility that they had gone to Limassol for a different purpose, investigating whether they were preparing or planning a criminal act.
At the same time, the authorities are proceeding with investigations in cooperation with other services abroad, in order to determine whether the two suspects were employed by the authorities of other countries or are connected to any other cases.
The 26-year-old had arrived in Cyprus last September, as a visitor. Investigators are now trying to determine how the two came into possession of the specific weapon, which, according to the examinations, was registered to a person who died in March 2024.
At the same time, the investigation continues into the circumstances under which the two suspects were found with the gun and cartridges in the vehicle, as well as the possibility that there was a specific target or planning behind their presence in the area.
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The Police proceeded during the night to arrest three drivers for spontaneous offenses related to driving under the influence of alcohol, after an equal number of traffic collisions in Nicosia and Limassol. At the same time, in Paphos, a 17-year-old driver was found positive in a preliminary drug test.
Specifically, shortly after 7:00 p.m. yesterday, while a 48-year-old man was driving his vehicle on Nicosia Avenue, in the Dali industrial area, he collided with a vehicle in front that was waiting at a red light. As a result of the collision, the second vehicle collided with a third vehicle in front.
Members of the Police went to the scene and subjected the 48-year-old to an alcohol test with a final reading of 78ฮผg instead of 22ฮผg which is the maximum limit by law, resulting in his spontaneous arrest.
In the second case, shortly before midnight, a 35-year-old driver, while moving near the Mesa Geitonia roundabout in Limassol, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a metal lighting pole, which crashed into the road.
Members of the Police went to the scene and subjected the 35-year-old to a preliminary alcohol test with a positive indication of 92mg instead of 22mg. He was then taken to the offices of the Limassol Traffic Police for a final alcohol test, but without giving a satisfactory sample, as a result of which he was arrested for a flagrante delicto.
In a third incident, 30 minutes after midnight today, while an 18-year-old was driving his car on Griva Digeni Avenue, in Engomi, he collided with another car which left the scene.
A little later, members of the Nicosia Traffic Police located the vehicle involved and found that it was being driven by a 45-year-old man. The driver was subjected to a final alcohol test with an indication of 80mg instead of 22mg, as a result of which he was arrested for a flagrante delicto.
Also, around 8:40 p.m. yesterday, members of the Paphos Traffic Police stopped a vehicle in the city center for a check that had previously violated a traffic signal.
From the checks that followed, it was found that the driver was a 17-year-old, holder of a student driver's license, who was driving without being accompanied by a licensed person. In addition, it was found that his vehicle was not covered by a valid insurance document, did not carry a renewed registration certificate and a certificate of suitability of the vehicle, as well as other traffic violations.
The 17-year-old underwent a preliminary drug test with a positive indication, resulting in the confiscation of his driver's license.
These incidents confirm that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs continues to pose a serious threat to road safety. During the period 2021–2025, almost one in four fatal road collisions in Cyprus was linked to alcohol or drugs. The Police will continue intensive checks aimed at preventing traffic collisions for a safer road network for all.
