A 43-year-old Syrian man suspected in the disappearance of 61-year-old Olga Vasilieva has admitted lying to her to obtain up to €20,000 and giving her a fake necklace with a forged certificate of authenticity, while denying any involvement in her disappearance.
The suspect also claims he had been in a romantic relationship with Vasilieva, although investigators say witness testimony appears to contradict several aspects of his account.
According to information obtained by Phileleftheros, the man denied any involvement in the case during questioning, offering explanations about his relationship with Vasilieva and their movements around the time the suspected offences occurred.
Investigators from Limassol Criminal Investigation Department are examining his claims, several of which appear to be contradicted by witness statements already obtained.
The suspect told investigators he had met Vasilieva about five months earlier and that they had begun a romantic relationship.
He claimed that on the day she disappeared, Vasilieva contacted him and arranged to meet near the JUMBO store in the Linopetra area of Limassol.
According to his account, she left her car there before travelling in a vehicle he was using to his home, where they had sex.
He said they remained at his home for about two hours before he drove her back to her car. He claimed Vasilieva told him she intended to visit the occupied north with a female friend for an outing.
Suspect admits inventing compensation claim
During questioning, the 43-year-old also addressed allegations that he had been involved in a road accident and had asked Vasilieva for money to compensate another party.
He confirmed that he had been involved in an accident several months earlier but maintained that he was not responsible.
However, he admitted falsely telling Vasilieva that the other party was demanding compensation, intending to deceive her into giving him money.
He told investigators he had asked her for between €15,000 and €20,000.
The suspect also admitted giving Vasilieva a fake necklace, accompanied by a forged certificate of authenticity that he had made himself, presenting it as jewellery worth between €9,000 and €10,000.
He said he had done so to exploit her financially.
According to his account, when he subsequently asked Vasilieva for money and she refused, she returned the necklace so that he could sell it.
Suspect allegedly angry over refusal to pay €20,000
Separate information obtained during the investigation suggests the suspect repeatedly pressed Vasilieva to give him money after telling her about the alleged compensation claim.
Vasilieva reportedly refused to provide the financial assistance he requested.
According to the information, the suspect knew that Vasilieva was financially well-off and became particularly angry when she refused to give him the money.
A source said he could not accept her refusal because he considered the amount relatively small compared with her financial circumstances.
Suspect explains sudden departure from Cyprus
The 43-year-old also gave investigators an explanation for his departure from the Republic of Cyprus.
He claimed he had decided to travel at short notice after learning that someone close to him was suffering from a serious, incurable illness.
He said he bought a one-way ticket to return to his home country.
