Brazilian police say the Greek ambassador to Brazil, who was last seen alive Monday, was murdered by his Brazilian wife and her police officer boyfriend, who has confessed to the killing.
Investigators say they found a body believed to be that of the diplomat, Kyriakos Amiridis, in a burned-out rental car in the rough neighborhood of Nova Iguacu, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. Amiridis and his wife had been vacationing there, and the ambassador was to return to work in Brasilia January 9.
Amiridis’ wife, Françoise Oliveira, reported to police Wednesday that her husband had left the house Monday night and not returned. Investigators said Friday they found blood they believe was from the ambassador on the couch in the house where the couple had been staying.
Plot revealed
Police officer Sergio Moreira confessed, saying he killed the ambassador at the home late Monday and then moved the corpse to the car, where it was later driven to the spot where it was found and burned.
A cousin of the police officer is believed to have helped move the body, in exchange for pay. All three suspects — the wife, the lover and the cousin — are in police custody.
The late ambassador and his wife have a 10-year-old daughter.
The Globo television channel showed images Thursday of a burned-out white car in Nova Iguacu, where the ambassador was reported to have been visiting friends.
Globo reported that the license plate on the car matched that of Amiridis’ vehicle.
Ambassador new to post
Police said in a statement Thursday that Amiridis was last seen Monday night in Nova Iguacu.
Greek embassy officials would not confirm that Amiridis was missing and said only that he was vacationing in the area.
Amiridis had just assumed the post in Brazil this year. He previously served as Greece’s ambassador to Libya from 2012 to 2016.
