Search for evidence in murder case

POLICE yesterday launched a search for evidence around Oroklini Lake, near where the body of a 34-year-old Pakistani man was found on Monday evening.

Members of Larnaca CID also took a number of statements from people close to the victim, 34-year-old Anis Ur Rehman, who was found at least 10 hours after being strangled and dumped in a coastal military bunker in Pyla.

“The investigations and interrogations by the Crime Investigation Department of Larnaca Police Headquarters continue intensively,” Police Spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said yesterday. “From this morning, a broad-scale operation is being carried out in the area where the victim’s car was found, in an effort to spot possible evidence that may relate to the case.”

He said a large number of the victim’s compatriots had been interrogated.

“Regarding the motive behind the murder, police interrogations are centred on (the victim’s) professional environment,” Katsounotos added.

Using metal detectors and the help of professional divers, members of the marine police searched the coastal area of the Pyla National Guard bunker for clues as to why Rehman – married and father of a young child – was murdered.

According to state pathologist Eleni Antoniou, the victim, who owned an internet café in Larnaca, was strangled with a wire, which has not yet been found.

Police are also on the lookout for Rehman’s mobile phone and car keys.

A search for the victim was launched in the early hours of Monday morning, after his Greek Cypriot wife reported him missing.

Rehman’s body was found over 10 hours later. His car was found abandoned a few hours earlier near Oroklini Lake. Divers yesterday found the car’s number plates at the bottom of the lake.

Antoniou’s post-mortem yesterday proved the victim’s death was down to “asphyxiation due to strangulation”.

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