The son of a British woman murdered in Crete 17 years ago has expressed frustration that her convicted killer remains free pending an appeal. Jean Hanlon, a 53-year-old mother of three, was found dead in the sea near Heraklion, the capital of Crete, in 2009.

Following a lengthy legal process, a man in his fifties was eventually convicted for the killing. Despite the conviction, Greek law allows for the convicted individual to remain free until all appeals are exhausted, meaning the sentence has yet to be enforced.

Hanlon’s family has been campaigning tirelessly for justice since her death, and while her son welcomes the conviction, he describes the continued freedom of the convicted man as “infuriating.” The case has drawn attention to the duration of legal proceedings in Greece and the impact on victims’ families.

Greek authorities have upheld the conviction but note that the appeals process is standard procedure, intended to ensure due process and uphold the defendant’s legal rights. The timeline for the appeal’s completion remains unclear.

The case underscores ongoing challenges within Greece’s judicial system in balancing timely justice with procedural safeguards, particularly in high-profile cases involving foreign nationals.