Man accused of raping his wife
The man denies all charges against him
A 28-year-old man accused of matrimonial rape has been granted bail.
The identity of the accused, who denies all charges against him, cannot be disclosed by a court order to protect the privacy of the couple's two-year-old daughter.
The court heard how on June 19, a 21-year-old woman alleged to police officers from the Domestic Violence Unit that she had been raped by her husband.
She further alleged that he had subjected her to non-consensual sexual acts on several occasions.
The police summoned the husband, a Syrian national, and placed him under immediate arrest.
During his interrogation, he chose to exercise his right to silence. The defence requested bail, which was met with strong objections from the prosecution.
The prosecutors argued that the victim has yet to testify in court and that both parties currently reside in the same household.
In response, the defence countered that the accused has an alternative address where he could reside if granted bail.
Magistrate Nadia Helena Vella granted the accused bail, while simultaneously issuing a protection order in favour of the woman and their young daughter.
The court informed the man that he must adhere to several strict conditions. He is required to sign the bail book every day, observe a nightly curfew between 8:00 pm and 5:00 am, provide a €10,000 deposit, and sign a €40,000 personal guarantee.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Omar Zammit. Lawyers Peter Fenech, Matthew Xuereb and Francesca Vella represented the accused.