Michael Polak, the director of Justice Abroad, said in the release that the firm was “ecstatic” with the decision.
“This remains a tragic case,” Polak said. “Janice and David were in a loving relationship for over 50 years and it is clear that David did what he did out of love for Janice upon her request.”
Sentencing is set for July 27. Polak said the firm would be arguing for a suspended sentence “given the time David has already spent in custody, his age, and the tragic facts of this case.”
Assisted suicide, or euthanasia, is currently illegal in Cyprus, though lawmakers last year began debating the possibility of legalizing it there.
The U.K.’s National Health Service says on its website that “both euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal under English law.” Citizens charged with euthanasia there can face either manslaughter or murder charges depending on the case.
Though intentional killing is at present illegal in the United Kingdom, the British Parliament’s Health and Social Care Committee is presently “holding an inquiry into assisted dying/assisted suicide.”