The disappearance of a 22-year-old Bangladeshi student has been reclassified as a homicide investigation after his body was found near a migrant reception centre and a slaughterhouse in Cyprus, police said.

Shahruar Ahmed Emon was last seen on 12 June after leaving his residence in Oroklini for his first day of work at a factory in Kofinou, authorities said. He reportedly sent a location pin to a friend later that evening before his phone signal was lost, says Philenews.

According to police information, unidentified individuals later contacted Emon’s father in Greece to demand money. Social media posts subsequently surfaced demanding a total of €35,000, split into €10,000 on Sunday and €25,000 on Monday, and warning that Emon would not be seen again if authorities were informed.

Following a nine-day search, the Larnaca Criminal Investigation Department arrested a 22-year-old foreign national. Police said that, during questioning, the suspect confessed to involvement in the abduction and led investigators to the location where the body was concealed.

Forensic teams have cordoned off the area for examination. Police are continuing to verify the authenticity of the digital ransom messages as part of their ongoing investigation.