Two suspects confess to killing Russian siblings in Thailand, motive theft

Two suspects wanted in the disappearance of two Russian siblings in Chonburi province have been arrested in Sa Kaeo province bordering Cambodia, with police stating they have confessed to killing them. The motive is believed to be theft of their motorcycle, according to Naewna newspaper on July 31. Diana Nazimova, 22, and Roman Nazimov, 17, the two Russian siblings, left their home in Huai Yai subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi, on a motorcycle early Sunday morning (July 26) and had been missing since then. Pattaya Provincial Court had issued arrest warrants for Mr. Thana (surname withheld), also known as Pong, and his friend Mr. Thongchai, also known as Thong, on charges of night theft, using a vehicle, or receiving stolen goods. They were apprehended in Wang Somboon district, Sa Kaeo. The Sa Kaeo Provincial Police Facebook page released a video of their arrest with the caption, “Urgent!! Pong and Thong are arrested and confess to Russian siblings’ death.” Pong admitted to shooting Roman dead and punching Diana to death. He insisted the motive was to rob them of their motorcycle and challenged police to verify he did not rape them. Police are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts and determine if there were any accomplices or other motives. Pol. Lt. Gen. Chatchai Surachetphong, commander of Provincial Police Region 2, along with Pol. Col. Chaturaphat Singhasthit, deputy commander of Sa Kaeo Provincial Police, led a police team in arresting Pong and Thong, who were then taken to Wang Somboon police station for questioning. Pol. Lt. Gen. Chatchai also stated that the two suspects confessed they intended to steal the motorcycle, but the Russian siblings resisted, leading them to shoot Roman dead and assault Diana, killing her as well. They then buried the bodies in the Khao Chi Chan area of Chonburi, dismantled the motorcycle and buried it before fleeing, only to be apprehended today. Meanwhile, as authorities searched for the siblings near a reservoir behind Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan in Bang Lamung district around 2 p.m., more than 50 Russians residing in Pattaya gathered to help. They divided into groups and went on foot to search forests, overgrown areas, and other locations for clues, while also offering support to the missing siblings’ family.