Sister of Russian missing in Phuket offers B500,000 reward

PHUKET: The sister of missing Russian Alexey Slabinskiy has offered half a million baht for information leading to the arrest of the two men believed to be involved in his disappearance. An additional 100,000 baht is offered to whoever finds her brother.

WANTED: Olexsande Boychuk. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Mr Slabinskiy disappeared with his girlfriend, Iana Strizheus, on March 7 (story here). The couple had called relatives in Russia that day to tell them that they had been kidnapped and needed money.

Ms Strizheus was later discovered injured in a hotel room (story here). Four days later, Mr Slabinskiy’s phone was used in Chalong, but he was nowhere to be found (story here).

Tatiana Novoselova, Mr Slabinskiy’s sister, and her husband met yesterday evening with Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karajedee to announce the reward.

“She offered 500,000 baht for information leading to the arrests of Ukrainian Olexsande Boychuk, 44, and Russian Aleksandr Novichkov, 58,” Col Peerayuth told the Phuket Gazette.

“She said she will give 250,000 baht for the arrest of each suspect.”

Ms Novoselova is deeply concerned about her brother, Col Peerayuth said.

“Our investigation team is searching for Mr Slabinskiy and the two suspects. I have asked Ms Novoselova to have confidence in us. We will get them,” he affirmed.

WANTED: Aleksandr Novichkov. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Mr Slabinskiy is a kind person with many friends who love him, Ms Novoselova said, adding that part of the reward money was provided by friends.

“I am so sad that this has happened to him. It’s awful to have no idea where he is and whether he is alive or dead,” Ms Novoselova said.

“I beg the police to please find my brother. I haven’t given up hope that he is still alive,” she said.

Ms Novoselova also asked the media to check facts thoroughly before publishing them.

“Some media reported that my brother was found. In fact, he was not,” she said.

Anyone with information about the suspects or Mr Slabinskiy, please contact Phuket Provincial Police Inspectors Prawit Engchuan at 081-4158668 or Lt Col Padet Ngamlamom at 081-5588232.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong