An attempted kidnapping case in Larnaca last week has turned a different corner, after it has been claimed by Ukrainian media that the 51 year old victim was indeed Ukrainian former energy and coal minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn, who served between 2014-2016 and is wanted by Kyiv on involvement in a coal scandal following the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Demchyshyn is also on an international wanted list since 2022. Cyprus authorities have not confirmed the story, but Ukrainian sources identify the individual as Demchyshyn.
He is wanted in connection with providing coal supplies to Russian troops in occupied eastern Ukraine and assisting pro-Russian paramilitaries in the region.
Cyprus has confirmed to local media that Ukraine filed an extradition request back in 2016 but could not be carried through as the Legal Service determined that according to international law, Demchyshyn's case was an exception to the fugitives law and therefore the man could not be arrested.
The Justice Ministry in Nicosia has not issued any other clarification.
According to a police statement, the Ukrainian former minister has been living and working in Cyprus since 2016. He owns a land development business.
The attempted kidnapping was reported last Thursday, with the alleged victim saying that three masked men attempted to drag him into a van near his home in Oroklini.
He resisted with the help of a 36 year old woman and her 72 year old father who were with him at the time.
The assailants fled on foot, abandoning the van. A handgun, a wig and other evidence were recovered from the vehicle and are undergoing forensic examination.
The alleged victim and the 72-year-old suffered minor injuries after the perpetrators assaulted them.
The two suspects that investigators believe are connected to the case, a 42 year old Greek Cypriot and a 44 year old Russian national are reported to be in the occupied territories.
They face charges of conspiracy to kidnap, assault, theft and possession of illegal firearms.
The attempted kidnapping does not appear to be politically motivated and according to a preliminary police report, a financial dispute is being investigated.