In the eastern city of Larnaca, local police are investigating the possible kidnapping of former Ukrainian Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Volodymyr Demchyshyn. The attack occurred on the evening of November 20, when three unknown individuals tried to forcefully drag the 51-year-old man into a van.
According to Cypriot law enforcement, Demchyshyn was in his own home with a 36-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man. Their attention was drawn to a commercial vehicle parked nearby, in which three people were sitting. The suspicious behavior of the strangers prompted the former minister and his elderly guest to approach and inspect the vehicle.
As they approached, three men wearing medical masks ran out of the car and attacked them. The victims managed to fight back, after which the attackers fled, leaving the van at the scene.
During an examination of the car, police determined that the license plates belonged to another car. Inside the car, law enforcement officers found and seized a pistol with an empty magazine and other physical evidence that could help identify the attackers.
Volodymyr Demchyshyn served as Ukraine's Minister of Energy from 2014 to 2016. The State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine had previously put him on the international wanted list. The former official turned 51 on November 12.
Cypriot police are currently continuing their investigation and are investigating possible motives for the attack, including the possibility of an attempted kidnapping.
