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George Low murder suspects 'not Turkish Cypriot' as doubts emerge over police information

Two men wanted in connection with the murder of a Kent man in Ayia Napa are not Cypriot nationals, it has emerged.

Local police want to speak to Mehmet Akpinar, 22, and Sali Ahmet, 42, regarding the fatal stabbing of Dartford's George Low, 22, outside a bar in the holiday resort in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Photos of the pair were released on Wednesday afternoon, with both believed to be Turkish Cypriot nationals, but it is now being reported that one of them is Turkish and the other Bulgarian, with both of Arabic origin.

The first images released of the suspects. Picture: Cyprus Police
The first images released of the suspects. Picture: Cyprus Police

Speaking to Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeniduzen, senior crime official Hakki Celal Onen also disputed reports that the two had fled to the north of the country and said the authorities are continuing their investigation.

Other high-ranking Turkish Cypriot officials have defined the pair as a Turkish Kurd and a Bulgarian Muslim, refuting information released by police, but it is not known who is who.

Officers had warrants issued for their arrest on Tuesday and it emerged on Wednesday afternoon that a third Turkish Cypriot man, from Nicosia, is being sought for helping them escape.

George Low and his friend Ben Barker were attacked in this street. George fell towards the green bins as he stumbled back towards The Bell Inn. Picture: The Bell Inn
George Low and his friend Ben Barker were attacked in this street. George fell towards the green bins as he stumbled back towards The Bell Inn. Picture: The Bell Inn

Akpinar's girlfriend, a 49-year-old Greek Cypriot woman from Larnaca, has been in court this week on suspicion of also helping the pair in their getaway.

According to the Cyprus Mail, Koulla Anastasiou told officers her boyfriend had confided to her that he and Ahmet had stabbed George and his friend Ben Barker, 22, following an altercation.

She said the argument was triggered when the men rebuked the Britons for urinating in public and admitted travelling to Ayia Napa on the night of the killing to deliver a change of clothes to her boyfriend.

George Low
George Low

She is then said to have returned the next day to pick up a phone he had hidden.

Ben, 22, was stabbed in the back multiple times. He survived the attack and has been recovering at Larnaca General Hospital.

Eyewitnesses told KentOnline this week that the attack was "completely random", as tributes to estate agent George - who worked at Acorn Estate Agents in Bromley - continue to pour in.

George Low is believed to have previously worked in the resort Picture: Facebook
George Low is believed to have previously worked in the resort Picture: Facebook

Speaking outside the family home in Ladywood Road on Monday morning, his father Martyn said "he could not wish for a better son".

The tragedy has devastated the rest of George's family - mum Helen, 47, brothers Wesley and Oliver, 23 and 11, and sisters Laura and Millie, 29 and 17.

More than £15,000 has also been raised in his memory since the attack, which took place on what was set to be the pair's last night of a week-long holiday on the Mediterranean island.

The Costa Coffee shop in Bluewater's West Village where Millie works is also taking donations.

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