Murder suspect of Nastya changed his statement four times

Russian feminist and anti-war activist Anastasia Yemelyanova (Nastya) was found dead on Sunday, September 24, in Erzurum. Her fiancé was detained on charges of murder and subsequently arrested by the court.

According to information provided by lawyer Begüm Osma from the First Children and Women Association, nine people have been heard as witnesses in the case so far. The prosecutor in Erzurum, who issued a confidentiality order for the case, reassured specific involvement into the investigation. 

"Waiting for the forensic medicine report"

Lawyer Osma shared the following information with bianet:

"They were living on the top floor of a four-story building. Their downstairs neighbor claimed to have heard a noise around 11:30 at night but could not confirm whether this noise was directly related to Nastya's death.Their neighbor mentioned that the usual rent for apartments in the building was 5,000 lira, but Nastya and her boyfriend were paying 7,000 lira, which they considered unfair.

"The same neighbor said that Nastya, who usually came home around 10:00 pm, was a quiet person.

"The Forensic Medicine Institute report has not been issued yet, and the prosecutor is particularly concerned about this.

"The male suspect changed his statement four times.We, as the First Children and Women Association, came to Erzurum today for Anastasia Yemelyanova. We met first with the Erzurum Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and then with the Erzurum Police Department Homicide Bureau.We visited the house where Anastasia lived and where her body was found. We spoke with Anastasia's neighbors.

"First and foremost, we would like to inform you that a confidentiality order has been issued for the case by the Erzurum Chief Public Prosecutor's Office as part of the ongoing investigation.

"On September 21, 2023, Anastasia was found dead in Erzurum. It is estimated that Anastasia was seriously injured with a deep glass cut on her leg and died from subsequent blood loss.Currently, our case is at the Forensic Medicine Institute, and we cannot make a definite statement about how Anastasia died or whether she was murdered.

"Anastasia's boyfriend attempted to seek help from around, but it was too late, and she died.

"The investigation file to arrive from the Forensic Medicine Institute will reveal whether Anastasia was murdered or not.

"Additionally, suspect Mohamed Nizar Arnabeh is currently in custody. He will remain in custody until Anastasia's death is clarified.

"As the First Children and Women Association, we will keep our promise to Anastasia's mother and friends. We will stand by Anastasia until the end and continue to fight for the clarification of her death." (EMK/PE)