George Low, 22, was stabbed in the neck during an unprovoked attack in the resort of Ayia Napa on Sunday, August 14, and died soon after.

Cypriot police issued warrants for 43-year-old Sali Musa Ahmet and 22-year-old Mehmet Akpinar on suspicion of murder, but they were instead arrested by Turkish officers for trespassing a military zone in the north of the island on Friday, August 19.

Ahmet has been sentenced to a year behind bars having been found to have illegally crossed into the north 670 times since 2011, while Akpinar was walked free after serving a three month sentence while in custody.

Friends and family of Mr Low have launched a petition calling on the UK government to put pressure on the Turkish authorities to release the pair for a murder trial.

Today, Dartford MP Gareth Johnson asked the Prime Minister what was being done during PMQs.

 

 Mehmet Akpinar and Salih Ahmet

Mrs May said: “The most recent time in which this case was raised with the relevant government was by the Foreign Secretary during his visit on November 30 to Cyprus, and he clearly set out our desire to see those guilty of this attack brought to justice.

“The Foreign & Commonwealth Office will continue to raise this issue and I am sure that the Foreign Office will keep my honourable friend (Mr Johnson) informed.”

Ahmet and Akpinar reportedly admitted to the killing of Mr Low in court, but local deputy police chief George Economou indicated at the time that the north had not handed anyone over to the south for years.

Northern Cyprus has been inhabited by Turkish Cypriots since Turkey invaded the country in 1974, dividing the island in two. The northern third of the island is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and the southern two-thirds by Greek Cypriots.

Estate agent Mr Low was with his friend Ben Barker, 22, at the time of the attack, which came on the last night of his holiday. Mr Barker sustained serious injuries but has made a full recovery.

Hundreds turned out to pay their respects to “captivating, charismatic, gorgeous George” at his funeral at St Margaret’s Church in Darenth Hill on Friday, September 9.

The family, of Ladywood Road, said the love and support from friends and family had “helped immensely in seeing us through this difficult time”.