George Low stabbing: Ayia Napa killing may have followed row over urinating in street
Warrants have been issued for the arrest of two suspects in the popular Cyprus resort
The British holidaymaker who was stabbed to death in the popular resort of Ayia Napa may have been killed in a row after he and his friend were caught urinating in public, according to a woman involved in the alleged attack.
Estate agent George Low, 22, from Dartford, Kent, died from a stab wound to the neck during a week-long break in the coastal town in east Cyprus popular with revellers.
Mr Low's friend, Ben Barker, also 22, suffered four knife wounds to his back during Sunday’s pre-dawn attack while they walked down a busy street. His injuries are not life-threatening.
Mr Barker's sister Rebecca told the Independent he has denied reports that the incident was in any way connected to urinating in the street.
A 48-year-old woman who appeared at Famagusta District Court on Wednesday in connection with the case told investigators the attack was triggered after the Britons were seen urinating.
A Cyprus police official, who declined to be named, told the Press Association: "She said that her boyfriend told her a complaint was made to the British men about urinating, and that that was the cause of the fight."
But Ms Barker, speaking on behalf of her brother, said: "It's been reported the boys were involved in an altercation, that they were urinating in the street. But that information is incorrect.
"They were attacked at random while they were going home. It was a completely unprovoked attack."
Cyprus police have published pictures and issued warrants for the arrest of Turkish Cypriot men Mehmet Akinpar, 22, and Sali Ahmet, 42.
Investigators who are treating the case as murder and attempted murder have urged locals with information to contact their nearest police station.
The police official said the woman has not been charged and has been ordered by the court into police custody for eight days pending further inquiries.
Ms Barker said her brother was distressed by the reports that the pair had been urinating in the street before they were attacked.
"It’s not something he would ever do – It’s against the law to urinate in the street," she said. "They’re being portrayed as rowdy ‘Brits abroad’, and that they’d had a fight with the boys. It wasn’t that way at all. Unfortunately they were just victims of a random attack."
Mr Low's mother, Helen, 47, said the pair had been due to fly back home on Sunday, and that his death had left the entire family "numb".
The quiet side of Ayia Napa
Show all 3Her son had spent two previous seasons in the resort as a club rep and manager, and was last there in June celebrating his birthday.
She said her son's death had devastated her, her husband, postman Martyn, 55, and their children Wesley, Laura, Oliver and Millie.
Mrs Low, a community carer, said: "We're just heartbroken. We cannot believe something like this could happen to our son."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies