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Police say they are looking for a male suspect in connection with an attempted murder investigation in Paphos last week, while officials raise doubts over a stabbed man’s version of events.
(Click here for an update to the story)
According to police, 38-year-old Russian national Konstantino Afanasov is wanted on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder, in connection with an incident that took place in Paphos district on July 15 to 16.
The man reportedly said he thought his wound was not serious at first but later realized he had to see a doctor
Local media said a 46-year-old foreign national was stabbed in the abdomen on July 15 late at night, around 11pm, with the victim later visiting the Emergency Room at Paphos General Hospital.
The man, described as a Ukrainian male, initially told officers at the hospital that he was stabbed earlier that night while he was hitchhiking on Apostolou Pavlou Avenue in Kato Paphos, giving a description of a dark Mazda that stopped to offer a ride.
According to media reports, the man said he was asked to pay but refused, with the passenger in the vehicle stabbing him and then the two men driving away. He reportedly said he thought his wound was not serious at first but later realized he had to see a doctor.
The victim was described as critical in the Intensive Care Unit while local media described two alleged suspects as possibly Bulgarian nationals.
Cops say hitchhike story not holding up
But police officials later said the victim's version of events did not seem to hold up during interrogation. Police did not share details about the suspect or details in the case, citing an ongoing investigation carried out by CID Paphos.
A press officer confirmed with Knews that Afanasov was wanted by law enforcement in connection with two charges, one count of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of attempted murder.
Members of the public are being asked to contact police if they have information that could lead to the suspect’s whereabouts.
