PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13 September 2026 Greek Media Covers Ten-Year Anniversary of George Low Ayia Napa Murder as Family and Justice Abroad Condemn Failure to Deliver Justice
London, UK — On 11 September 2026, leading Greek newspaper To Vima published an in-depth report marking the ten-year anniversary of the murder of George Low in Ayia Napa, Republic of Cyprus, highlighting the ongoing failure of Cypriot and Turkish authorities to secure justice for his family.
George Low, a 22-year-old estate agent from Dartford, was stabbed twice outside Bell's Pub on the Ayia Napa strip on 14 August 2016. When the attack occurred, George was with his friend Ben Barker, who was also stabbed multiple times and seriously injured, but survived. International arrest warrants were subsequently issued for two identified suspects, who fled across the border into the northern Cyprus where they were detained for unlawful entry before eventually being allowed to travel to Turkey.
Despite an investigation being carried out and arrest warrants issued no one has been brought to trial for George's murder. The only individual to have served any prison time was a Greek Cypriot partner of one of the alleged perpetrators, who received a sentence in the Republic of Cyprus for assisting an offender after she retrieved the murder weapon and assisted a suspect to cross into northern Cyprus.
"Politics is More Important Than a Life"
The phrase that has come to define the Low family's decade-long struggle is one they have repeated throughout: "Our son has been murdered, and yet politics is more important than his life."
George’s mother Helen Low expressed the family's deep frustration at what she describes as a system that has failed them. "They are circumventing justice," she said. "And it's not right."
A Family Trapped Between States
Michael Polak, Director of Justice Abroad and legal representative for the Low family, told To Vima that the case has become a casualty of political division.
"To have your son die at such a promising time in his life is obviously a terrible tragedy and something that is difficult for any family to deal with," said Polak. "But they — and we — are determined to get justice."
Polak pointed to a critical missed opportunity in the immediate aftermath of the murder. "The opportunity was missed at the beginning, when the suspected were apprehended and detained by the northern Cypriot authorities, the Republic of Cyprus authorities did not cooperate with their Turkish Cypriot counterparts. At that stage, it would have been the right time to hand the suspects back to the Republic of Cyprus for prosecution."
Instead, the suspects were subsequently permitted to travel to Turkey.
Evidence Withheld
Polak raised serious concerns about the handling of evidence by the Republic of Cyprus. "The Republic of Cyprus has conducted an investigation. It has the basics — it has the knife; it has the forensic tests. However, this information has not been made available to the British authorities or the family's legal representatives. They are sitting on this evidence and refusing to give it to the British police. Kent Police have requested the evidence."
He also criticised the Turkish authorities for their failure to engage with British counterparts and keep the family informed. "The first thing we found out [about apparent discontinued proceedings against one of the suspects] was when something was published, by the press" Polak said. "This was the first time the family learned that there were proceedings in Turkey. The Turkish authorities have not contacted their British counterparts to keep the family informed of what is happening."
Polak was equally direct in his criticism of the Republic of Cyprus. "The Attorney General of the Republic of Cyprus [who was contacted numerous times] decided to refuse to respond to my requests, disregarding the thoughts and feelings of the family."
"It Is Truly Shameful"
Ten years on, Polak was unequivocal in his assessment. "It is truly shameful — given how strong the evidence appears to be about what happened — that after ten years the only person to have served time in prison was a Greek Cypriot partner of one of the perpetrators, who served a sentence for complicity in obstructing justice. I think the authorities of both states should be ashamed of what has happened in this case."
He was equally clear about the family's intentions. "This is not a competition between the different states involved. This is a family that wants justice for the murder of their son."
Justice Abroad continues to work with the Low family to press for meaningful legal action and to ensure that all evidence collected is used in the prosecution of those responsible.
Notes for the Press
Previous Coverage
Some of the previous coverage of this case can be found here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyvn9zl82g4o
https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/09/28/lawyer-fighting-to-secure-justice-abroad
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-60509685
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vyq73mg4ro
About Justice Abroad
Justice Abroad is a legal organisation that assists individuals and families seeking justice in cases with an international dimension. It is run by Michael Polak, an award-winning barrister who has assisted in some of the most high-profile cases around the world.
For more information, visit www.justiceabroad.co.uk
Media Contact:
Michael Polak
Director, Justice Abroad
contact@justiceabroad.co.uk | +44 (0)203 488 2316