The investigation into the attempted kidnapping of a 51-year-old Ukrainian national in Oroklini, Larnaca, has taken a turn after reports in Ukrainian media identified the victim as former Energy Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn, who has been internationally wanted since 2022 over a decade-old scandal.
The case has drawn increased scrutiny because the former state official had previously been protected from extradition to Ukraine by a decision from Cyprus’s Law Office.
The Cypriot Police officially declined to confirm the identity of the 51-year-old, who served as Ukraine’s Minister of Energy and Coal Industry from 2014 to 2016 under Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s second government.
Ukrainian media reports write that Demchyshyn has been on an international wanted list since 2022 in relation to a 2014–2015 case involving the illegal procurement of coal from occupied territories in eastern Ukraine and providing aid to Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The presence of the wanted figure in Cyprus was confirmed by Police who received correspondence from Ukrainian authorities via the Ministry of Justice seeking the 51-year-old’s extradition.
However, after the Ministry of Justice requested guidance, the Law Office advised that his arrest was not possible as the request fell under a specific exception outlined in the law that ratifies the European Convention on Extradition. Details regarding the specific reasons for this decision were not disclosed.
The victim, who is reportedly involved in land development business in Cyprus, reported the attempted abduction to Larnaca Police last Thursday.
The attack involved three unknown assailants who allegedly attempted to forcibly place him into a commercial vehicle.
Larnaca Police are now seeking two individuals in connection with the crime: Athos Kotsonis, 42, from Larnaca, and Dmitry Abramov, 44, from Russia.
Authorities believe the two suspects may have fled abroad.
The investigation is focusing on offences including conspiracy to commit a felony, attempted kidnapping, illegal possession of a firearm, assault causing actual bodily harm, and theft.
Unconfirmed information suggests the case is not related to the 51-year-old’s political past, with preliminary examinations pointing towards unresolved financial disputes as the likely motive.
The 51-year-old contacted the Police after he, his 36-year-old partner, and her 72-year-old father noticed a suspicious commercial vehicle parked nearby containing three individuals.
When the two men approached the vehicle to check on its occupants, they were allegedly attacked by the three unknown individuals, whose faces were covered with surgical masks.
The victims fought back, causing the perpetrators to flee on foot, leaving the commercial vehicle behind. Both the 51-year-old and the 72-year-old sustained minor injuries.
Evidence left at the scene, including the van, a pistol with an empty magazine, a wig, and other items, is currently under examination.
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Ukrainian businessman claims he’s former minister after foiled abduction attempt in Larnaca