One of two suspects wanted by police in connection with the murder of a Dartford man in Cyprus last summer has been expelled to Turkey.

According to Cyprus Weekly, 22 year-old Turkish national Mehmet Akpinar is back in his homeland having served a three month custodial sentence for trespassing a military zone in northern Cyprus.

He had fled to the north alongside 43-year-old Bulgarian Sali Musa Ahmet following the fatal stabbing of George Low in Ayia Napa on Sunday, August 14, and both were arrested for trespassing in a military zone five days later.

Ahmet will be behind bars until June having been found to have illegally crossed into the north 670 times since 2011, but Cyprus Weekly reports that Akpinar has been allowed to return to Turkey.

Warrants for their arrest had been issued by police investigating the murder in the south, but they are yet to be questioned over Mr Low’s death because of the division between the Greek and Turkish sides of the island.

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.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has raised the issue with both countries and foreign secretary Boris Johnson made an appeal during a visit to Cyprus back in November, but Ahmet and Akpinar have never been handed over.

It means George’s family, of Ladywood Road in Dartford, are still waiting for justice. In December his parents, Martyn and Helen, issued a further tribute to their son after friends launched a petition calling for the suspects to face a trial.

“We need justice for our son George Low and his friend Ben Barker whose lives drastically changed forever on the August 14 this year,” they said.

“George was the most kind-hearted, thoughtful, genuine and popular young man who made an eternal impression on everyone he met. We are extremely proud and privileged to call George our son.

“We hope Northern Cyprus and Turkey put aside their political differences with Southern Cyprus and hand over the suspects to stand trial for the murder of George and attempted murder of Ben.”

Mr Barker, 22, of Rowan Crescent, Dartford, was with Mr Low at the time of the attack and was stabbed four times in the back, one of which left an impact wound of five-and-a-half inches.

There were fears he may never walk again but he is on the road to recovery and will run half marathons on Saturday, February 11, and Sunday, February 12, between Battersea Park and Westminster, to raise £5,000 for Victim Support.

He told KentOnline last week: “Victim Support is a charity that reaches out to those who need them most in these types of circumstances. It is supported primarily by volunteers who have been through similar situations and can empathize.

“Whether or not you choose to use their support it is a comfort knowing it is there if you need it.”

To donate to Ben’s Just Giving page, visit his JustGiving page here.