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Swedish police have made an arrest after two British travel agents were found shot dead in a burnt-out rental car in Sweden.
Business partners and best friends Farooq Abdulrazak, 37, and Juan Cifuentes, 33, had travelled for an overnight business trip to Denmark on 14 July to promote their agency, Empire Holidays.
Family members reported the pair missing after they failed to board their return flight to London.
The pair were found dead in the Swedish city of Malmo, inside a rented Toyota RAV4 left in the Fosie industrial area.
Both Swedish and British police are still looking into the double murder, according to Swedish prosecutors, who said in a statement: “The prosecutor has today arrested a person on probable cause, suspected of aiding and abetting the murder of two British citizens who were found dead in a burnt-out car in Malmo on 14 July this year.
“There will now be interrogations, both with the suspect and others.”
Magnus Pettersson, head of the preliminary investigation, said prosecutors had until Sunday 1 September to decide whether or not the suspect should remain in custody.
A close friend of the two deceased men told The Independent that he feared it may have been a targeted attack, but did not believe they would have got into trouble in Sweden.
“Farooq helped out so much with charities, he had absolutely nothing to do with drugs or gangs.”
He said that the pair were very close, “like Tom and Jerry”. He added: “You have your best mate – sometimes you fall out, but they always stuck together. They managed to mix business and friendship and make it work. They were trying to promote their business by going into new areas, looking for hotspots and posting online to get people to come in.
“Farooq was bubbly and friendly at the mosque. He always attended prayers on time.
“Farooq was an outstanding member of the community and one of the best guys I have ever met. He was a great character and really community-minded. He didn’t have children but was married. I’m not worried about him, because he always gave to charity. I’ve been so upset.”
The pair ran a travel agency called Empire Holidays together and had posted pictures of themselves posing in the sea in Mexico and Colombia in recent months.
Cifuentes used to play lower-league football for Welwyn Garden City.
Their families released a shared tribute through the Metropolitan Police: “We are sincerely devastated, broken in many ways words cannot describe. We have lost two beautiful innocent hardworking souls. Our loss has not only shattered our family and friends but has also impacted our local community deeply.
“Farooq is a beautiful, selfless, humble soul, someone always willing to help others. There was never a day that goes by where he didn’t help someone through a kind act, generous words, support with a good cause or being hospitable. He is an amazing son, husband, brother, uncle and friend, who provided security, comfort and love, and always brought laughter and light upon everyone.”
“Juan was a devout Muslim. He was a pillar of strength and compassion, always present for those in need, regardless of their faith. His legacy lives on in his children, who embody the love and values he instilled in them.
“A brilliant footballer and a hardworking man, he united people from all walks of life, leaving a lasting impact on everyone he met. His memory will forever inspire us.”
Swedish outlet TV4 claimed that the two men’s bodies were burnt so badly they would need to be identified with dental records.
