Bangladeshi student vanishes in Cyprus as alleged kidnappers seek €35,000
Sahruar Ahmed Emon, who lives with roommates in Oroklini, was last seen on 12 June at around 18:30, according to police information. He had told people at his residence that he was travelling to a factory in the Kofinou area for his first day of work
Police in the Cypriot city of Larnaca entered a second week of searches on Saturday for a 22-year-old Bangladeshi student who disappeared after leaving for his first day of work, in a case that has developed into a kidnapping investigation.
Sahruar Ahmed Emon, who lives with roommates in Oroklini, was last seen on 12 June at around 18:30, according to police information. He had told people at his residence that he was travelling to a factory in the Kofinou area for his first day of work, says Philenews.
Because Emon did not own a vehicle, investigators believe he travelled by bus.
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Police said Emon later sent a location pin to a friend through a mobile application. That communication was the last known contact before he disappeared. Authorities subsequently traced the last signal from his mobile phone to the Kofinou area.
The investigation expanded after individuals contacted Emon's father on 12 June and demanded a ransom, according to information released by police.
Authorities are also examining online messages that recently emerged in connection with the case, including demands totalling 35,000 euros ($40,000). According to the information under review, the amount was divided into an initial payment of 10,000 euros requested for Sunday and a further 25,000 euros for Monday.
The messages allegedly warned that Emon would not be seen again if authorities were informed.
Larnaca's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said it was using technological and investigative methods to locate the missing student.
Investigators are examining the authenticity of online messages and multimedia files linked to the case and are reviewing bus routes and seeking CCTV footage in an effort to reconstruct Emon's movements after he left home.
Ground searches have also been conducted in the Kofinou area, where his phone signal was last detected, though authorities said no results had emerged from those operations.
Police have taken statements from people Emon had been in contact with and said they were coordinating with his father and authorities abroad.
Authorities said that because Emon had only recently arrived in Cyprus, they were also attempting to identify additional individuals who may have known him.
Police have issued repeated appeals for information and asked anyone with knowledge of Emon's whereabouts to contact Larnaca CID, the Citizen's Line, or the nearest police station.
