Abner Aquilina fit to stand trial for Dembska murder, psychiatrists find

Abner Aquilina, the man accused of raping and murdering Polish student Paulina Dembska on January 2, 2022, is fit to stand trial, three court-appointed psychiatrists have declared. 

The 29-year-old woman was strangled and raped in Ġnien Indipendenza, a popular public garden in Sliema, in a case that shocked the nation.

Aquilina, 24, from Żejtun had initially claimed insanity and in June 2022 a court ruled that he was insane at the time of the crime. The ruling was made on the basis of a report by three psychiatrists, who said Abner Aquilina was also mentally unfit to stand trial at that stage.  

The psychiatric report was challenged by the Attorney General.  

Flowers in Independence Garden Sliema for murder victim Paulina Dembska laid in the days following her murder in 2022. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Aquilina recently retracted his insanity plea and last week the court ordered the psychiatrists to immediately reexamine him to determine whether he was  fit to stand trial, whether he was able to follow and understand the criminal proceedings, and whether he was able to instruct his lawyer.

It also ordered that Mater Dei Hospital and Mount Carmel Hospital give them access to Aquilina’s medical file.

On Monday morning, the three psychiatrists – Joe Cassar, Anton Grech and George Debono - took the stand before the Criminal Court and testified that after examining Aquilina again, they found that he was fit to plead.

A trial or ġurin which was due to be held on February 16 to determine whether Aquilina was fit to plead, was therefore called off.

Police and forensic experts at the scene of the murder in January 2022. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

After the psychiatrists testified, Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras explained to Aquilina that the insanity trial will not be held and he will eventually stand trial for murder when jurors will decide his guilt or innocence.

Aquilina confirmed that his lawyer had explained to him what his decision to retract his pleas meant.

The case was adjourned to May for submissions on the remaining pre-trial pleas.

Aquilina was arrested shortly after the body was found. He was picked up by police outside nearby Balluta parish church after he raised a commotion inside the church, going up to the altar, overturning chairs and allegedly making threats before some men pulled him out and called the police.

Abner Aquilina, centre, when he was arraigned in January 2022. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

He was admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital, where psychiatrists previously testified that he told doctors he had demonic powers and was possessed by the devil.

Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras presided over the Criminal Court. AG lawyer Darlene Grima prosecuted. Lawyer José Herrera appeared for the accused. Lawyers Lara Dimitrijević and Stephanie Caruana appeared parte civile.