Suspect in John George Murder Killed in Spain
A suspect linked to the murder of John George has been fatally shot in Spain.
John George, originally from Belfast, was reported missing for 21 days in Alicante during December 2024 before his body was found.
Michal Maly, a Czech national and former member of the French Foreign Legion, was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday in Torrevieja, a town near Alicante, according to BBC reports.
Maly had appeared in court in January of the previous year and was subsequently released on bail.
Spanish law enforcement, La Guardia Civil, confirmed the
"homicide of a 33-year-old Czech man"and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have stated they cannot disclose further details regarding the murder of the Czech man because
"the judge has declared the proceedings secret".
Under the conditions of his bail, Maly was required to surrender his passport, was prohibited from leaving the jurisdiction, and had to report daily to the police.
Members of John George's family, through their solicitor, declined to comment on the recent developments but reaffirmed their
"very firm intention to see the ongoing prosecution of one other person through to trial".
Another individual from Belfast, Jonny Smyth, was also arrested in connection with the murder.
Smyth had been named in international arrest warrants circulated by Interpol after fleeing Spain following George's disappearance.
He was extradited back to Spain after being apprehended in Portugal in March 2025.
