A court in Torrevieja has authorised the provisional release of Jonathan Alan S., who is accused of killing Northern Irish visitor John Hardy in Rojales. The judge has set bail at 100,000 euros, although it had not been paid at the time of the ruling. Hardy, aged 37, was found dead beneath a lemon tree in January, a year after his disappearance triggered a large search in the Vega Baja area.

Jonathan Alan S. was arrested in Portugal in March after allegedly fleeing there following the shooting. He was then transferred to Spain and placed in pre‑trial detention in April. The court now says imprisonment is no longer essential to ensure he remains available to the investigation, and that less restrictive measures can achieve the same aims.

If the accused posts bail, he will be required to report to the court every day, live at a fixed address in Spain, hand over his passport, and remain within the country unless granted permission to travel. He is also banned from contacting anyone involved in the case and must stay at least 1,000 metres away from them. Any breach could see his bail revoked and prison reimposed.

Defence lawyers have argued that another suspect, a Czech national who was released with charges, also faces incriminating evidence. The court order allowing bail can still be appealed.