British Base authorities have summoned a forensic pathologist from abroad to perform an autopsy at 12:00 today on a body discovered in the Avdimou coastal area, as investigators seek to confirm if the remains belong to missing Russian businessman Vladislav Baumgertner.
The body was discovered on Wednesday afternoon by a member of the public on Avdimou beach, a location falling under the jurisdiction of the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA). Due to the advanced state of decomposition, immediate identification was impossible. Limassol CID and SBA Police have cordoned off the area, treating the site as a potential crime scene until forensic results clarify the circumstances of the death.
Forensic and DNA testing
The post-mortem examination will take place at the British Bases morgue. Given the high-profile nature of the case and the condition of the remains, the SBA Police have opted for an independent expert from overseas to lead the procedure. Key objectives for the medical examiner include:
Samples will be taken for DNA profiling to be compared against records for the 56-year-old Baumgertner, who has been missing from his Pissouri home since 7 January.
Pathologists will look for signs of foul play or trauma, although Limassol police noted that “all possibilities remain open,” ranging from an accident to a criminal act.
The former Uralkali CEO was last seen taking a taxi toward Pissouri a week ago, sparking a massive search operation involving drones and personnel from both the Republic of Cyprus and the British military.
Official confirmation of the identity is not expected until the DNA results are processed, which could take several days.
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