Murder suspect cancels overseas business trip

The man charged with the murder of his business partner has decided not to make an overseas business despite being granted permission to do so by the courts.

Spiridione Mercieca was allowed to travel to "Western Africa" on a 60-day trip in connection with a contract that bound the company he shared with the victim to lay artificial turf on a number of sport pitches.

The decision by Magistrate Miriam Hayman last Thursday to allow Mr Mercieca to travel abroad infuriated relatives who said they would hold the court and the authorities accountable should he fail to return.

Speaking to The Times yesterday, Mr Mercieca said he would not be travelling and this to avoid a "situation where negative impressions are unjustly given about his actions and the judiciary".

"I want to face justice not escape it," he insisted, adding that the contract had to be respected as otherwise the company would incur heavy penalties.

He said he would sue the victim's sister for libel over comments she gave to One Television on Wednesday when she vented her frustration at the decision.

Her brother, Martin Scicluna, was shot dead at point blank range with two bullets to the head at the office of his company, All Sports International, in Qormi on September 16.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino had testified that Mr Mercieca had given himself in shortly after the shooting, admitting to killing Mr Scicluna. The accused was granted bail in November against a deposit of €10,000 and a personal guarantee of €20,000. Last Thursday, Magistrate Hayman upheld a request by Mr Mercieca's defence team for him to travel, a request the Attorney General did not object to.

The Attorney General was asked to explain why his office did not object to the request but no replies were forthcoming at the time of writing. Defence lawyer Joseph Giglio said the contract, for which his client intended travelling to Africa, came up in the murder proceedings, making the point that this was not some invented excuse.

"This is a documented fact of which the court was well aware when the application was filed and permission to go ahead was given," he said, adding that the magistrate had also increased his client's deposit by €5,000 and that some limitations were stamped on his passport.

Dr Giglio said that, while he understood the relatives' sense of anger, ultimately it was also in their interest for the company not to lose money.