The son of murdered 61-year-old Olga Vasilieva gave a statement to Limassol CID on Monday morning and was then present as investigators searched her car. Police are examining 35,000 euros she withdrew days before she disappeared.
A 43-year-old man has confessed to her murder. Although police have solved the case, CID investigators are still gathering all the evidence and testimony needed to build a full case for court. They are assessing CCTV footage and other material and awaiting the results of forensic tests.
The son, who arrived in Cyprus from Russia on Sunday evening, had sent the authorities a photograph of the 43-year-old with his mother’s dog, which helped lead investigators to him, as philenews previously reported. Vasilieva’s car was found in a car park in Linopetra on October 30.
What the son knew
Based on what his mother had told him, the son appears to have known a good deal about her relationship with the 43-year-old, according to Phileleftheros’s information. She had told him about an alleged traffic collision involving the man and supposed compensation of 60,000 to 70,000 euros.
She was not willing to give him money, the son understood, and instead offered to return a necklace he had given her as a gift, which was fake.
The 43-year-old also appears to have put pressure on her, and she had told her son he was thinking of going to Syria to raise the money he claimed he needed to cover the collision. The man reportedly would not accept her refusal to help him financially, appeared angry with her and considered the sum he was asking for relatively small given her financial situation.
Investigators are seeking all available information on Vasilieva’s personal relationships, her contacts with the 43-year-old and her last days before she disappeared.
Withdrawals
The bank accounts of both Vasilieva and the 43-year-old are being examined. As philenews reported on Saturday, particular importance is being attached to withdrawals she made a few days before she disappeared, specifically before October 21.
According to Phileleftheros’s information, she first withdrew 25,000 euros and then a further 10,000 euros, a total of 35,000 euros. Investigators are looking into why the withdrawals were made and whether the money is linked to the financial demands the 43-year-old allegedly made.
The man denies receiving any money from her, Phileleftheros understands, although his claims are expected to be examined. When he was stopped at the airport, he was found with a small bag containing 4,620 euros in banknotes and foreign currency, including Russian roubles.
Evidence
Evidence found at Vasilieva’s field in Saittas includes two bottles of bleach. According to evidence under investigation, the 43-year-old reportedly said that after throwing her body into a sewage pit, he poured bleach over it.
The son is expected to remain in Cyprus for some time to deal with procedures relating to his mother’s body and funeral, as well as matters concerning her business activities.
Vasilieva’s lawyer, Pambos Ioannou, sent a letter on Monday to the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the police chief, thanking them for solving his client’s murder. He praised the efficiency, professionalism and dedication of members of the Cyprus police, particularly the heads of Limassol CID.
