Gay Briton accused of murder released on bail in Crete
A gay British man accused of killing his parents following a rift over his homosexuality has been bailed in Crete.
Ryan Johnson, 32, from Newlyn, was arrested on Monday and appeared in court on Crete on Thursday. He is charged with murdering Terry and Jo Johnson, aged 53 and 54, at the weekend. Members of his family arrived on the Greek island on Thursday night.
Their bodies were found at their home in Almyrida on Sunday. They had moved from Newlyn to Crete last year.
A Foreign Office spokesman said in a statement: “He has been released on bail – that bail is subject to conditions.
“There is no date set yet for a trial, the investigation is ongoing.”
A €20,000 bail must be paid before the end of the week. Mr Johnson’s passport will be confiscated and he must remain on the Greek island until a judge decides when and if a trial will begin.
Speaking outside a court in Chania in Crete, earlier this week, Mr Johnson refused to comment on claims that his sexuality caused rifts between him and his family.
He said: “There are killers loose who killed my parents. I’m not going anywhere until they are found.”
He told police he had been out drinking and did not discover his parent’s bodies until he returned home.