Mercy killing

In 2021, after 52 years of marriage, David Hunter suffocated his wife, Janice, in their Cyprus home after she “begged him” to end her life because of her severe pain and suffering from blood cancer. Hunter subsequently faced charges of premeditated murder and was sent to Nicosia’s central prison on remand. But yesterday, with the help of the campaign group Justice Abroad, the 76 year-old retired British miner was instead found guilty of manslaughter and allowed to walk free thanks to time already served. The judge said that this was “a unique case of taking human life on the basis of feelings of love” and that the crime was committed with the aim of “relieving the person of their suffering as a result of illness”. It was a significant judgment for Cyprus – an island with deep religious roots and a large British retiree ex-pat community. It will also be noted carefully by the rest of the EU – and by the UK and its crown dependencies – as they contemplate legislation in favour of assisted dying. Hunter has said he will remain in Cyprus, where his wife was buried.

Photograph Alamy