At the time of Janice Hunter’s death, her blood cancer was not terminal, her physician, Dr. Ourania Seimeni, said in court on May 9, which contradicted testimony given by David Hunter’s defense, according to itv.com.
The court found that the killing was not premeditated murder because David Hunter acted “spontaneously,” another press release from Justice Abroad said.
Director of Justice Abroad Michael Polak said in the release: “We are very pleased with the sentence of the court today, which means that David will be free immediately.”
“This has been a tragic case and difficult for all of those involved with it, but today’s decision was the right one and allows David and his family to grieve together,” he said.
David Hunter was in custody in Cyprus since at least February 2022 when he pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder, which carries a life sentence.
Assisted suicide is illegal in Cyprus, a human rights lawyer from the country told The Guardian. The life-ending practice is also illegal in England.