'Malta, wake up': Family of Paulina Dembska desperate for justice, four years on
The Polish student was raped and murdered in Sliema on January 2, 2022
The relatives of Paulina Dembska, who was brutally raped and murdered four years ago in the heart of Sliema, continue to painfully wait for justice due to lengthy court proceedings.
On the morning of January 2, 2022, Malta woke up to the horrifying news of the murder of the 29-year-old Polish student, whose lifeless body was found in Sliema's Independence Gardens.
In a Facebook post, her sister Daria Dembska said she is in disbelief that the accused has yet to be held accountable for her death.
She said: "I know nothing will bring your life back, but at least if the suspect is eventually convicted, it could give others a chance at safety! Malta, wake up!"
The violent and random killing horrified the country, sparked protests and led to legislation making changes to the criminal code to punish killers more harshly when the crime is deemed femicide.
The accused, Abner Aquilina a clerk from Żejtun was arrested outside nearby Balluta parish church within hours of the attack.
He proclaimed himself as "the antichrist" and is pleading not guilty to the crime. Court experts said he was "insane" during the act. Aquilina was back in court in June 2025, after he allegedly stabbed an inmate in the eye with a pen.
Dembska's family members have previously told Times of Malta that they believed the alleged killer received more psychological help than his victim's family. They said the lengthy court proceedings delayed the family from truly mourning the loss of their sister.
The youngest of five siblings, Paulina first visited Malta in 2018 and instantly fell in love with the island. From being quiet and reserved, her siblings noticed Paulina coming out of her shell after visiting Malta to study English.
It was the second tragedy to hit the family after her brother Mateus, 20, was killed in a car accident, when Paulina was just 15.
In 2024, a red bench close to the murder site was inaugurated and dedicated to Malta's femicide victims. The idea for the bench came after seeing a similar installation in Italy as part of that country’s ‘Posto Occupato’ (Seat Taken) campaign to stop violence against women.
In a social media post on Friday, European Parliament president Roberta Metsola paid tribute to her. She said: "Please remember her and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers, and use your voice to join us in demanding swifter action is taken. No more excuses."