by halil » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:36 pm
Russian released after 12-hour ordeal
By Andreas Avgousti
THE ordeal of Russian land developer Viacheslav Shimkevich, who was kidnapped on Tuesday noon, came to an end early yesterday.
Shimkevich was set free after a 12-hour nightmare which saw the 60-year-old being psychologically, but not physically, abused.
According to police, the kidnapping appears to be an all-Russian affair, fuelled by financial motives.
In particular, Russian title deeds and offshore bank accounts belonging to Shimkevich and his second wife Irena seem to be at the heart of the case.
The deeds are in the name of his wife, but had been acquired during Shimkevich’s first marriage.
According to Shimkevich’s statement to the Paphos CID, the kidnappers told him that he should forget about the land he had in Russia.
Police confirmed that the kidnappers were indeed looking for the land developer’s personal documents and Russian title deeds, since many of these were nowhere to be found after they entered his house on Tuesday morning.
Shemkevich and his wife live with their two children at Andrea Kyriakou Street in Konia village.
Despite the fact that the kidnapping happened in broad daylight, neighbours did not notice anything was wrong.
“It was obviously the work of professionals because I didn’t notice anything until the police showed up and they started putting up the tape,” said one of the neighbours.
After being taken away from his house, Shimkevich was injected with an anaesthetic which caused general paralysis.
He was not unconscious and could speak, but a mask had been pulled over his head so as to ensure he could not see where he was being taken to.
The Russian speculated that the grey Jeep – which had rental licence plates – drove for about half an hour over long stretches straight roads.
Shimkevich said that the four men took him to a mansion in the Coral Bay area, whereupon he was asked to divulge information regarding his offshore bank accounts.
The kidnapping was reported by Irena who was handcuffed and gagged by the assailants.
“They removed his wife’s handcuffs before leaving and she saw them take her husband. That’s when she called us,” police said. Reports said the 37-year-old overheard the men arguing about money.
“Whether he was involved in anything dishonest or corrupt we do not know. His wife doesn’t know anything. He was a man who bought and sold land and worked with someone from here, whom we plan to speak to,” police said.
At around midnight, the Russian turned up at Paphos CID, after being driven there by a Greek Cypriot friend of his.
He said that his kidnappers had set him free in an open space in Paphos District, which he subsequently took police to.
“This is a wholly Russian affair in which Cypriots do not seem to be involved.
“The kidnappers wanted Shimkevich to transfer money to an offshore bank account,” police said.
Speculations as to the legal nature of title deeds, namely that they were nameless and made out to the bearer do not withstand legal scrutiny.
A lawyer at the Andreas Neocleous legal firm, which deals extensively with Russian business, affirmed that, “Russian title deeds do indeed have names on them.
“Only bonds may be made out ‘to the bearer’, but these are different documents altogether.
“Therefore, the kidnappers could not have used the title deeds they stole for extortion,” he concluded.
Interpol, Europol and the Russian police have been contacted for assistance with the investigation.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008
