Russian whose body was found in Phuket on Tuesday was tortured and murdered. Police investigating murder

Russian tourist Ilia Orlov was found tortured and murdered near Karon Beach in Phuket. Police are investigating possible links to the Russian mafia amid rising Russian crime on the island. Battered body dumped in a canal with no attempt to hide his identity. His belongings were found intact, including an expensive Apple MacBook laptop.

Phuket police are investigating a murder after the body of 27-year-old Ilia Orlov was discovered near Karon Beach on Sunday. The Russian national appears to have been tortured, murdered and his body dumped in a canal next to the beach’s famous Naga statue. The killing comes at a time when the island is seeing an increase in long-term Russian visitors. At the same time, a significant increase in property investment in Phuket has also led to a marked increase in gang crime linked to Russian mafia groups.

Police in Phuket are investigating the discovery of the body of a Russian tourist on Tuesday. He was reportedly tortured and murdered. Officers are also said to have spoken to the man’s wife. In short, it appears that his behavior in the days leading up to his death was cause for concern.

One aspect police are investigating is whether the dead man was reported missing.

Briefly, the man was identified as 27-year-old Ilia Orlov. Mr. Orlov had previously entered Thailand on January 24 of this year. His first visa was a 90-day tourist visa. He then appeared to have extended this type of visa.

Visa history of Russian citizen Ilia Orlov and his arrival in Thailand before his violent death in Phuket

When the Russian, who is believed to have been involved in online services, arrived in Thailand, he was accompanied by his wife and child.

Ultimately, his second visa expired on July 22, but it was extended after Mr. Orlov returned to Thailand earlier from Malaysia. His passport was stamped at a border crossing in Satun.

His body was discovered around 1pm on Tuesday. The discovery was reported by Ms Na, the owner of a nearby massage parlour. She told reporters that she heard a scream from a passerby and immediately called the police.

Mr Orlov’s remains were dumped in a canal next to Karon Beach. They were found near the area’s famous Naga statue. Initially, investigators believed his death had occurred no more than eight hours earlier. This would have been in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The discovery of the Russian’s body during daylight hours at Karon Beach shows that the killers made no attempt to hide his identity

At the same time, the person who dumped the young man’s body made no attempt to hide his identity. A black bag found near the body contained all of his papers, including his Russian passport. In addition, an expensive MacBook Air was dumped near his body at the same time.

There is no doubt that this was not a robbery. For example, his bank cards were also found in the dead man’s belongings.

Among Mr Orlov’s papers was found the passport of a Russian woman, who is believed to be Mr Orlov’s wife.

It is significant that the body showed signs of systematic torture. Police confirmed that the bruises on both sides of the body ruled out any suggestion of self-inflicted injuries.

In addition, the body showed cuts and bruises in specific places.

Evidence points to systematic torture as police investigate Orlov’s death and find his personal belongings

On Tuesday, local police quickly called in a medical forensic examiner from Vachira Phuket Hospital. In the meantime, a full autopsy is being performed on the body.

In particular, in addition to the bruises believed to be caused by a blunt instrument, the victim was subjected to deep lacerations. It is notable that these incisions extended to the bone. They were inflicted on both arms and one leg.

Mr. Orlov suffered severe bruising to his chin, mouth, eye sockets, and Adam’s apple. In short, a brutal and horrific death. Based on preliminary findings, investigators believe the man’s death was ultimately caused by ruptured arteries.

The death has been reported to Russian consular officials. A full murder investigation is underway. Police are currently collecting CCTV footage along all routes near the Naga statue. In addition, a forensic analysis has been carried out at the site where the body was found. Police will be requesting his phone records.

Forensic investigations are complete as detectives collect CCTV footage and examine evidence from the crime scene

Meanwhile, police are examining his laptop for more information. They have also spoken to Mr. Orlov’s family in Russia, as well as his wife. The Russian man had been acting strangely for four to five days before his death was discovered on Tuesday.

Phuket has become a magnet for Russian tourists to Thailand, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Thailand is targeting two million Russian tourists this year. Phuket alone welcomed a million visitors from the northern country in 2023.

In 2022, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov opened a new Russian consulate on the resort island.

Number of Russian expats grew after the war in Ukraine, leading to more crime, mafia groups and control in Phuket

But apart from being among the biggest real estate investors on the island, there is also a growing Russian expat community. This particular community seems to have an entrepreneurial flair. In turn, they have come into conflict with local business laws designed to protect Thai citizens.

Large-scale CIB campaign in Phuket wipes out vast Russian business network, with ฿1.5 billion seized

At the same time, some of the Russian tourists visiting Phuket have been linked to transnational crime. The island has seen disturbing Russian-on-Russian extortion activity, as well as murders and attempted murders.

In May, a massive operation led by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) targeted a Russian business network in Phuket. Ultimately, more than 100 people were arrested in dozens of locations in both Bangkok and Phuket. Agents later revealed that more than ฿1.5 billion in assets had been seized.

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