THE CHINESE double-murder suspect who has been on the run from justice for the last seven days has been spotted in Limassol on more than one occasion.
Police said yesterday the net was closing in on Bu Hua Cheng, 22, and believe his arrest is likely to be a matter of hours rather than days.
The bodies of Chinese couple Lou Jian Hui, 23, and Jiang Ming Xia, 23, were found at the bottom of a ravine near Trooditissa last week. They had been subjected to torture and sexual abuse with various objects before being strangled to death, forensic evidence found.
Police arrested Wang Yang, 21, in connection with the murders last week. Wang named Bu as his accomplice.
The week-long murder hunt was given a much needed boost yesterday, when several eye-witnesses positively identified the suspect in various parts of Limassol.
It had been feared that Bu may have fled the country (Interpol were contacted on Tuesday) or absconded to the occupied areas.
At around 3am yesterday, Bu visited one of his fellow Chinese students at a flat in Limassol, pleading for food and clothing. He was turned away by the student, who then informed police.
It is understood that several people among the island’s 600-strong Chinese community (most of them students) have actively helped police during the investigation.
Later in the day, the suspect was seen at a kiosk, asking to make a phone call near Limassol town centre.
Hundreds of officers have combed the island over the past week to try and find murder suspect Bu.
Police have searched abandoned property, boats and farms in a concerted effort to apprehend the suspect.
Bu is described by police as extremely dangerous and still scarred over his right eye from his tussle with the victims. The public have been warned not to tackle him alone.
Both Wang and Bu were students at the same private Limassol college attended by the victims.
Wang has apparently confessed to the crime, naming Bu as the one who planned the murders in an attempt to rob the couple of around $3,000.
He and Bu planned to leave the island by boat after committing the murders, Wang is said to have told police.
