UK murder suspect arrested in the north

A murder suspect has been arrested by Turkish Cypriot police in the north following a notice by Interpol, in connection with the fatal stabbing outside a gym in London.

(Click here for an update to the story)

According to Turkish media, 35-year-old Charles “Charlie” Riddington, who was wanted by Metropolitan Police, was apprehended in the north of the island on Monday.

Riddington is the main suspect in the murder of George Barker, aged 24, who was stabbed to death outside a martial arts gym in south London back in 2016.

UK police said Riddington was known to travel under the name Barry Ryan.

But latest media reports said Riddington had been living in Cyprus on a fake Zambian passport under the name Ricky de Bruin, which he obtained in Germany according to Hurriyet daily.

The suspect had traveled to Dusseldorf from Manchester airport after the murder, according to UK police, who offered €11,000 reward earlier this year for any information that might lead to his arrest.

Riddington was able to evade capture by changing his appearance with longer, blonde hair, and travelling to the north several times using different fake passports.

Interpol got wind of his latest whereabouts and issued a notice to local authorities, with the suspect being apprehended on Monday.