The skeletal remains of a man found in a burnt-out car are being investigated amid claims he was ‘tortured and murdered by the Russian secret police’.
Latvian national Mikus Alps, 33, was found in the vehicle in Petit Bot in Guernsey on January 8 after he was reported missing earlier that day.
Reports from Ukraine claim he was killed due to his involvement fighting with the Ukrainian rebels to rid Russian troops from Crimea.
A handwriting expert in the UK has now been called in to analyse a suicide note purporting to be from Mr Alps which was handed to police in the days after he disappeared.
Latvian national Mikus Alps, 33, was found in the vehicle in Petit Bot in Guernsey
Bone fragments and a shotgun were also found inside the car but it is still not known how he died and further tests are due to be carried out.
The theory of foul play was put forward by Andriy Gergert, commander of the eighth detached battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army.
He wrote on Facebook: ‘He was tortured and burnt in the car he used for the military needs of the battalion.
‘The Sicilian Mafia is a kindergarten compared to the methods used by the Kremlin to achieve its imperialist goals.
‘For them there is no difference whether they kill in eastern Ukraine or in centre of Europe. And they won’t stop. I have no doubt that this was the Muscovites.’
Guernsey Police Chief Officer Patrick Rice, said: ‘Following forensic examination of DNA samples retrieved from human remains found in a car near Petit Bot on Monday January 8, we can confirm the identity of the deceased is Mikus Alps.
‘The cause of death has not yet been determined and the pathologist from the Home Office intends to carry out further tests in the UK within the next week, subject to availability.
‘The letter purporting to be from Mr Alps, which was sombre and reflective in content, was sent to the UK on Thursday for analysis from a handwriting expert.
‘The result of this analysis is likely to take several weeks.
Bone fragments and a shotgun were also found inside the car (pictured) but it is still not known how Mr Alps died and further tests are due to be carried out
‘Officers continue to have an open mind in relation to this investigation, although I would again repeat that at this stage there is no evidence linking Mr Alps’ activity in Ukraine with his car being found burnt-out in Guernsey.’
Mr Rice said at this stage they ‘cannot prove or disapprove whether this letter was written by Mr Alps’.
He added: ‘We are aware that Mr Alps has connections with a pro-Ukrainian and anti-Russian movement.
‘We are aware of comments in the Ukrainian media attributed to a commander suggesting he knows the facts.
‘There is no concrete evidence at this stage linking his involvement with this movement to his car being found burnt-out.
‘However, I would once again draw your attention to our primary position; that we are keeping an open mind about the potential direction of this investigation. In terms of the various hypotheses surrounding this case, the facts are that at this stage we are not ruling anything in or out.’
‘This is a highly complex investigation and there is much work still to be done as we try to establish the full circumstances.’