Ryan Johnson a free man at last

June 15 2007

Justice charity Fair Trials Abroad and the family of Cornish man Ryan Johnson, 33, are rejoicing following today’s news that he has finally been acquitted of all charges against him.

Mr Johnson was arrested in Chania, Crete in March 2006 on suspicion of having murdered his parents, Terry and Josephine, at their home in Almirida. In April this year, Greek prosecutors recommended charges against him be dropped.

However, he has had to wait for the court to accept this recommendation before he could consider himself a free man.

Fair Trials Abroad Chief Executive Catherine Wolthuizen welcomed the court’s decision:

“Today’s news comes as an enormous relief to Ryan’s family, friends and supporters. His long wait for justice is finally over.

“For Fair Trials Abroad, it is a vindication of his refusal to submit to police pressure to confess to a crime he could not have committed. Having worked on his case for the past year, we are delighted that he will be shortly returning home to Cornwall to be reunited with his family.

“Although he is now finally free to leave, we understand Ryan will remain in Crete for several weeks to sort out his effects. But we and his many supporters look forward to welcoming him back home,” concluded Ms Wolthuizen.