Syrian Faces Trial for Cyprus Double Murder

People paddle on a stand-up board during sunrise near a beach in Larnaca, Cyprus August 27, 2020. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou
People paddle on a stand-up board during sunrise near a beach in Larnaca, Cyprus August 27, 2020. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou
TT
20

Syrian Faces Trial for Cyprus Double Murder

People paddle on a stand-up board during sunrise near a beach in Larnaca, Cyprus August 27, 2020. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou
People paddle on a stand-up board during sunrise near a beach in Larnaca, Cyprus August 27, 2020. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou

A Syrian man is to go on trial in Cyprus for the murder of two foreign women whose bodies were unearthed Sunday in the grounds of a mountain village home, police said.

The 32-year Syrian, who remains unnamed and was initially arrested for abducting the women, had helped police find the bodies after a days-long search, AFP reported.

The island's CNA news agency identified the women as Maria Gazibagandova, 33, from the Russian republic of Dagestan, and Khaiat Alraeesi a 43-year-old from Syria.

The two, who Cypriot media said had arrived on the holiday island as tourists, were reported missing on November 17.

"Police used all available means... to locate them, but if you look at the ground, the depth and the surface, it is clear it would have been impossible to find them without his indication," police chief Stelio Papatheodorou told reporters.

"Unfortunately, the fears and suspicions of the police have been confirmed," he said. The women had been shot on the day they went missing.

"According to the suspect, he was the only one who committed the crime, and according to him, he shot them with a hunting gun," the police chief said, without giving a motive.

Investigators said the suspect, arrested last week, had access to the holiday home in the Troodos mountains of central Cyprus where blood from one of the women had been discovered.

The suspect is expected to appear in court Monday and tried for double murder.



Belgian King Denounces Gaza Abuses in Unusually Direct Remarks

Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
TT
20

Belgian King Denounces Gaza Abuses in Unusually Direct Remarks

Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo

Belgium's King Philippe described abuses in Gaza as a "disgrace to humanity" in a speech on the eve of Monday's national day, unusually direct remarks on international affairs from a monarch who traditionally avoids public politics.

"I add my voice to all those who denounce the serious humanitarian abuses in Gaza, where innocent people are dying of hunger and being killed by bombs while trapped in their enclaves," he said speaking at his palace in Brussels, Reuters reported.

"The current situation has gone on for far too long. It is a disgrace to all of humanity. We support the call by the United Nations Secretary-General to immediately end this unbearable crisis."

It was the first time Philippe has spoken out so strongly and unambiguously about a conflict in public. Belgium's federal government has been more reserved in its criticism of the conflict in Gaza.

The king's role in Belgium is limited to giving advice, support, and warnings to the government without making any political decisions.

Israel launched its assault on Gaza following an October 2023 attack on Israeli towns by Hamas-led fighters. Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 59,000 people in Gaza, according to health officials there. Much of the territory has been laid to waste and Israel has restricted food and other supplies.

Israel denies that its forces commit abuses in Gaza and says restrictions on supplies are needed to prevent aid from being diverted by militants.