Belfast man was 'stabbed before he was shot,' says lawyer

An autopsy carried out on murdered west Belfast man, John George, showed he was stabbed before being shot, according to the family's solicitor.

"We can confirm the family have received an autopsy report from the Spanish authorities," said Kevin Winters.

"The findings point to John having been stabbed before being shot," he added.

He said that as a precautionary measure and in order to make sure there was clarity on the cause of death "we have instructed another pathologist to conduct a second autopsy on Johns remains".

A second autopsy is to be conducted next week.

John George's body was found by Spanish police in Rojales

The news comes as an international arrest warrant was issued by Spanish authorities for the man suspected of murdering the 37-year-old father of two.

Earlier this month, a thirty-two-year-old man from the Czech Republic was bailed by a judge under strict conditions.

He is being investigated as an alleged accomplice for the murder.

Spanish authorities have now confirmed three separate arrest warrants are now out for the individual suspected of carrying out the murder.

Meanwhile, drugs charges brought against Mr George have been formally withdrawn.

He faced prosecution over the seizure of £30,000 worth of cannabis from a taxi he was stopped in.

On Tuesday, a judge at Belfast Magistrates' Court agreed to end the case against him following confirmation of his death in Spain.