
A 28-year-old Russian woman, reported missing since late July, has been found dead inside a suitcase in a canal near Belgrade. A 25-year-old Turkish national has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The body was discovered on the evening of July 30 by residents of the area near the Vizelj Canal, in Padinska Skela, on the outskirts of Belgrade. After forensic examination, the victim was identified as Ljudmila Turkova, a 28-year-old Russian woman who had been wanted by authorities for several days.
According to the Serbian Interior Ministry, the main suspect was arrested at Belgrade airport as he was trying to leave the country. Authorities have not released his identity.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the young woman was allegedly murdered in the early hours of July 26, inside a rented apartment in the Borça area. The alleged perpetrator then allegedly put the body in a suitcase, transported it to the canal and abandoned it there to hide the traces of the crime.
The 28-year-old lost contact with family and friends on the evening of July 25, when she stopped responding to messages. After being reported missing, authorities launched an investigation that led to the discovery of the body and the arrest of the suspect.
The Serbian prosecution has taken charge of the case and is continuing investigations to fully clarify the circumstances and motives of the crime.
According to international media, citing the Russian agency TASS, investigations are still ongoing.