Court in David Hunter Case Sets Dates for Submissions of Arguments in Attorney General’s Appeal of Acquittal and Sentence in Cyprus
Court in David Hunter Case Sets Dates for Submissions of Arguments in Attorney General’s Appeal of Acquittal and Sentence in Cyprus
JUSTICE ABROAD
“Here When You Need Us”
Justice Abroad represents Mr David Hunter, a 75-year-old British man who faced trial in Cyprus after the death of his wife, Janice Hunter, who was suffering from blood cancer. Justice Abroad is working with a top team of lawyers to fight for David Hunter, including Nicoletta Charalambidou, an experienced human rights advocate, and Ritsa Pekri, a criminal law expert.
On 24 October 2023, the prosecution appeal of David Hunter’s acquittal for Murder and his sentence for Manslaughter came before the Court of Appeal in Nicosia. The Court ordered that the Prosecution file their arguments within two months and the defence respond within two months following that. At that point, the case will be set for the appeal hearing which is likely to take place in around April or May.
David Hunter was tried before the Paphos Assize Court over a period of 17 months and on 21 July 2023 Mr Hunter was found not guilty of premeditated murder, a charge which carries a mandatory life sentence. He was convicted of manslaughter, a charge to which he had offered to plead, before that resolution was taken off the table by the Prosecutor on the day it was due to be entered.
In their finding of 21 July 2023, the Court agreed with the defence position that this was not a case of premeditated murder as David had acted spontaneously to end the life of his wife of over 50 years, upon her begging him to do so because of the pain she was under and that his action was motivated by love for his wife.
On Monday 31 July 2023, David Hunter was given a 2-year sentence for the manslaughter conviction which resulted in his immediate release.
Michael Polak of Justice Abroad stated:
“After spending over 19 months on trial and in custody in Nicosia Prison, when the Assize Court of Paphos finally found David Hunter not guilty of murder in July and sentenced him for manslaughter resulting in his immediate release, we thought that the legal proceedings were over for him.
For anyone, but especially someone of David’s age, it is obviously very stressful to have the possibility of being sent back to prison for life hanging over their head. Although we are disappointed with the decision to pursue David further, we will continue to fight for David, and we thank everyone from Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and around the world who have been supporting him so strongly.”
The fact that the case will now be taken to appeal means that funds are needed to fight for David. To donate to the family’s campaign please visit https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/help-bring-david-home/ The family is overwhelmed with the generous donations they have received, and they thank each and every person who has donated.
For any questions in relation to this case please contact Justice Abroad by email at contact@JusticeAbroad.co.uk or phone on +44 (0)203 488 2316.
Notes to Editors
Justice Abroad, www.justiceabroad.co.uk has been set up to help those trying to find their way through foreign justice systems with all the associated hurdles that presents, to represent those facing gross breaches of their human rights no matter where this takes place, and to advise and assist the victims of crimes as to how to achieve justice.
Justice Abroad, run by international lawyer Michael Polak, has assembled a team of top investigators, lawyers, and support staff to provide unparalleled support, advice and guidance, legal, advocacy, and investigatory service for your Justice Abroad issues anywhere in the world. The Justice Abroad team with their trusted international pool of multilingual experts, their networks, and media contacts and their well-documented determination to leave no stone unturned in the search for the truth and justice for families who have been denied it are here to provide that much needed support for families and individuals in their time of need.