Parents have 'more hope' after Cyprus death debate

The parents of a man who was stabbed to death on holiday in Cyprus in 2016 say they have "more hope" of seeing justice after his case was raised in an "emotional" debate in parliament.

Two men suspected of being involved in the attack on George Low, 22, fled to the Turkish-controlled north of the island. International arrest warrants were issued but Cyprus Police has said the case had not progressed.

Agreeing to meet Helen and Martyn Low, Foreign Office Minister Uma Kumaran said she recognised their "strength, determination and courage" and her team would "continue to press Turkey to take action".

Speaking after the debate, Mr Low said the session was "very encouraging".

He told the BBC: "It seems as though she wants to push things forward."

Helen Low said: "It was emotional seeing your son's name on a big board up there and they're talking about our son.

"But [Kumaran] did very well and hopefully we'll get to have a meeting with her soon."

Estate agent George Low, from Dartford, was with his friend Ben Barker when he was attacked. Barker was also stabbed multiple times in the back, but survived.

The Turkish authorities refused to hand over the suspects, Sali Ahmet and Mehmet Akpinar, to the Greek Cypriot south and both were allowed to leave the country.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the north after a military coup backed by Greece.

Turkey does not extradite its citizens.

In July the Turkish Embassy in London told the BBC prosecutors had decided not to prosecute Akpinar. The reason has not been made clear.

During the adjournment debate Dartford MP Jim Dickson told the House of Commons: "Regrettably our repeated requests for a meeting with the Turkish Embassy have not yet provided any result."

The embassy has been contacted for comment.

Lawyer Michael Polak from Justice Abroad, acting for the family, said Akpinar was suspected of stabbing of Barker.

In his speech on Tuesday, Dickson said the UK government could "play a key role in securing justice for the Low family given the strong relationship it has with both Turkey and Cyprus".

In reply Kumaran said the government had remained "actively engaged" on the "deeply tragic" case and would continue to support the family.

She added that the British High Commission had asked Cyprus to consider transferring the case to Turkey so Turkish authorities could explore a prosecution.

"Frustratingly the Cypriot authorities decided not to pursue this option," she said.

"They believed it would be difficult for Cypriot officials to provide the evidence and testimony needed to support a case in Turkish court."

Kumaran said regarding the release of evidence, her team had lobbied Cyprus to transfer the case to Turkish jurisdiction.

"They've told us they're not in a position to do that as a result of jurisdictional issues between the two countries," she said.

She added that her team would seek clarity on that decision, and additionally to fully understand the reason for the positions of both Cyprus and Turkey on the question of progressing the investigation in Turkey.

Helen Low said she and Martyn promised George they would never stop fighting for justice for him.

"We will fight until our last breath," she said.

Polak said the absence of formal communication between Cyprus and Turkey and the latter's policy of non-extradition could potentially be overcome with a prosecution in Turkey.

"It's really about getting the evidence from the Republic of Cyprus to Turkey so Turkey has everything they need to prosecute and get justice for George," he said.

Polak previously told the BBC the evidence included DNA from the weapons, potential CCTV relating to the perpetrators leaving the scene of the offence, and witness accounts.

The lawyer added that the UK has a "great relationship" with Cyprus and Turkey.

"There's no reason why the Republic of Cyprus can't pass that evidence to the UK authorities," he added.

Cyprus Police has been contacted to respond to this point.

In August the force told the BBC the arrest and extradition of the suspects "are considered essential to achieving further progress in the investigation".

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