The estranged husband of St Paul’s Bay murder victim Silvana Muscat is being treated as the prime suspect by the police, who have issued both a European Arrest Warrant and an International Arrest Warrant against him.

The 35-year-old Libyan, Nour Eddine G. Ibrahim Hamid, left Malta for Italy on Wednesday night. Sources said the police had “a good idea” of where the suspect was but had not made contact with him.

Ms Muscat, 36, was found lying on her bed in an apartment in Triq l-Isponoż on Thursday with about five stab wounds to the upper part of her body.

She had filed three police reports against her husband in January and in February.

The first report filed was that of a civil nature, recording Ms Muscat’s separation from her husband due to adultery.

The second, also filed in January, was made after Mr Hamid broke a glass pane and the third was filed after he psychologically harassed and threatened her.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela told Times of Malta the police took immediate steps in all three instances by speaking to him and taking action against him. On the third occasion, he was arraigned under arrest.

He admitted the charges and the sentence was delivered on the same day. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years and fined €100.

The court also bound the accused with a €1,000 guarantee not to talk to the victim. The police said no further complaints were received following this judgment. The sources said that not so long ago Mr Hamid was spotted in the whereabouts and the police were alerted but when they arrived he had already left.

“In this case, I can state with certainty that the police took all the necessary steps they are obliged to take immediately and without dragging their feet,” Mr Abela said.

“He was put under a guarantee, which is different from a protection order. Did she merit having a police officer on guard with her? We now have the benefit of hindsight but don’t forget the court took into consideration the fact he had never once laid a hand on her or, at least, she had never reported physical abuse.

“Unfortunately, he went to the other extreme by killing her. Following the sentence, had he approached her and, for instance, beat her up, she could have reported him to the police and he would probably have ended up behind bars.”

There was still more to be done, he added, such as extending the training on dealing with domestic violence – given to constables and sergeants – to all members of the force.

Malta has ratified the Istanbul convention on preventing and combating violence against women.

“The convention states that the perpetrator should be removed from his home.

“Abroad, for instance, they just dump him on to the streets. Given Malta’s size and context however, would that work? There are a lot of issues to examine,” Mr Abela said.