Oilman missing for weeks af ter f light to France
A SCOTS businessman has gone missing after flying to France almost seven weeks ago.
Yahya Ghassemazadeh, 74, is thought to have taken a flight from Aberdeen to Paris last month.
However, he did not return home and police have now launched an urgent appeal to help find him.
Mr Ghassemazadeh, who also goes by the name John Cowry, lives in Montrose, Angus, and worked in the oil and gas industry, mainly in Aberdeen.
According to company documents, he is a director of Scotia Engineering, based at his home address.
Police say Mr Ghassemazadeh is known for travelling abroad but that it is unusual for him to be away for this long.
His neighbours said his house has been lying in darkness for ‘some time’.
One, who asked not to be named, said: ‘He’s been living here for a long time. I can’t remember the last time I saw him.
‘He was in the oil business in Aberdeen. I think he’s originally from Iran. I noticed that there had been no lights on. He’s got all his wits about him as far as I know. It’s very surprising.’
The neighbour said that she believes Mr Ghassemazadeh no longer lives with his partner and has two grown up children.
Police said they did not know Mr Ghassemazadeh’s travel plans but he may not have stayed in Paris. Officers do not know if he made plans to return to the UK.
A police spokesman said: ‘While we would normally ask for details of sightings of missing persons, and that is still the case, on this occasion we would like to hear from anyone who may have been contacted by him in any manner since October 12.
‘We would also like to speak with anyone who may have spoken with him on his flight or at the airport, or anyone with whom he discussed his travel plans.’
Mr Ghassemazadeh is described as being about 6ft tall and of medium build, with short grey or white hair.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police.
Meanwhile, officers are continuing to carry out searches of woodlands and waterways in Aberdeenshire more than a week after a schoolboy went missing.
Liam Smith, 16, was last seen in Aberdeen city centre on Saturday, November 17, boarding a bus to Banchory.
Police say the CCTV on the bus was broken, meaning they do not know where the teenager left the vehicle.
Over the weekend police quizzed shoppers at Union Square shopping centre, where Liam was last captured on CCTV.
Scotland manager Alex McLeish also posted a video on social media appealing for the teenager to return home to his family in Aberdeen.
Police continued to carry out searches of the Crathes Estate and areas around Banchory yesterday. A helicopter, mountain rescue teams and dog units were involved in the operation.
Chief Inspector Martin Mackay said: ‘We are very grateful for the many messages of support for both Liam’s family and the police inquiry and the suggestions we have received. All information passed to us will be followed up.’
When he was last seen Liam was wearing a dark top, blue jeans and Nike Air Max trainers.
He was carrying a camouflage North Face backpack.