A witness reported hearing a scream near the home of a 43-year-old Syrian man arrested over the disappearance of 61-year-old Bulgarian national Olga Vasilieva, while CCTV footage showed a vehicle reversing into the property before its boot was opened and something placed inside, Limassol District Court heard on Saturday.
Investigators from the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department (CID) sought a six-day remand order for the suspect, whose defence lawyer, Rikos Erotokritou, did not object to the request.
Although police initially obtained an arrest warrant on suspicion of premeditated murder, that offence was removed from the proceedings on Saturday. The remaining offence under investigation was kidnapping with intent to commit a felony, namely premeditated murder.
The investigating officer’s written statement was not read aloud during the hearing, but Erotokritou questioned the officer about the evidence gathered.
Police say there are strong indications the woman is dead
The investigating officer told the court that Vasilieva’s disappearance was reported on 28 October.
According to the evidence collected so far, she appears to have had no contact with anyone since 21 October, and her mobile phone had been switched off.
Her car was found abandoned, apparently since 21 October, while her dog was discovered neglected at her home.
The court heard that Vasilieva was not known to leave her dog unattended.
She had also missed an important scheduled appointment, adding to concerns about her disappearance.
Police checks found no evidence that she had left the Republic of Cyprus or crossed into the occupied north.
The investigating officer said there were strong indications that Vasilieva was no longer alive.
Suspect allegedly booked flights after disappearance became public
The 43-year-old suspect was located at Larnaca Airport on Friday and taken to a police station, where he was arrested.
The investigating officer said Vasilieva’s disappearance was reported on 28 October and photographs of her were published by the media that evening.
Responding to questions from the defence, he said witness evidence indicated that the suspect had purchased airline tickets during the morning of 29 October.
The alleged purchase therefore took place after Vasilieva’s disappearance had been publicised.
Witness describes scream near suspect’s home
During questioning, Erotokritou referred to evidence from a witness who reported seeing two people heading towards the suspect’s home before hearing a scream.
The investigating officer confirmed that the witness lived near the suspect’s property, had heard the scream and had also seen Vasilieva’s car.
However, the witness could not establish precisely when the incident occurred.
The officer said investigators believed it had happened before or on 21 October.
CCTV footage shows vehicle reversing into property
The court also heard about surveillance footage showing a vehicle reversing into the property and parking.
According to the investigating officer, the footage then showed the boot being opened and something placed inside.
Erotokritou challenged the suggestion that the object placed in the vehicle might have been Vasilieva’s body, questioning what evidence supported that interpretation.
“Where else could she have gone?” the investigating officer replied.
The exchange highlighted the defence’s challenge to the conclusions police were drawing from the available evidence.
Defence questions links between evidence and alleged offence
The court also heard references to evidence concerning a meeting between the suspect and another person inside the property, as well as information suggesting that the two had travelled towards the house together.
Erotokritou argued that these circumstances did not establish a connection with the offence under investigation.
“There is no evidence or indication linking these specific events to the offence under investigation,” he said.
The investigating officer was also asked whether police had carried out checks involving bank records.
He confirmed that financial investigations were ongoing.
