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Suspect in John George murder killed in Spain

News imageFamily handout John George seen in a blue T-shirt, scarf and hat.Family handout
John George's body was found by Spanish police in Rojales

A suspect in the murder of John George has been killed in Spain.

George, from Belfast, was missing for 21 days in Alicante in December 2024 before his body was discovered.

Michal Maly, a Czech national, was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday in Torrevieja, a town near Alicante, the BBC understands.

A former member of the French Foreign Legion, he appeared in court in January last year and was released on bail.

La Guardia Civil in Spain have confirmed the "homicide of a 33-year-old Czech man" and are investigating what happened.

Spanish police have said they cannot provide further information in relation to the murder of the Czech man because "the judge has declared the proceedings secret".

As part of Maly's bail conditions, he had to surrender his passport, was not allowed to leave the jurisdiction and had to report daily to police.

In a statement through their solicitor, members of George's family said they had no comment to make, but reiterated their "very firm intention to see the ongoing prosecution of one other person through to trial".

Another Belfast man, Jonny Smyth, was also arrested in relation to the murder.

He had been named in international arrest warrants circulated by Interpol having fled Spain following George's disappearance.

He was extradited back to Spain after being arrested in Portugal in March 2025.

News imageFacebook Two men are smiling at the camera. On the left is John George he is wearing dark glasses and a dark hoodie. On the right is another man wearing glasses and a white hoody. He has his hands up, his hand has tattoos and he is wearing a large wristwatch. He also has a small tattoo above his right eye. Facebook
Jonny Smyth (right) is pictured with John George