Murder suspect on business trip to Africa
Court asks for further guarantee of €5,000
The relatives of the Qormi businessman who was shot dead last year are angered that the courts allowed the man charged with the murder to go on a business trip to Africa.
Grace Scicluna said it was "unheard of" that the man charged with the murder of her brother Martin was allowed to leave the island when such a serious case was still pending.
"My parents and I are very worried that he will never return to Malta and escape justice," she said, adding that she held the court, the Attorney General and the Justice Ministry responsible if this were to happen.
On September 16 last year, Mr Scicluna, 43, of Siġġiewi, died on the spot after being shot twice in a building in Qormi, where he and Spiridione Mercieca ran the company All Sports International, that specialises in turf. Two days later Mr Mercieca, 46, of Birkirkara, was charged with the murder to which he is pleading not guilty.
Police Inspector Chris Pullicino had testified in October that the accused had approached him personally on the day of the murder and turned himself in.
In November, Mr Mercieca was granted bail against a deposit of €10,000 and a personal guarantee of €20,000.
He later filed an application asking the magistrate to allow him to travel to Africa on business, as he had turf-laying contracts there.
Last week, Magistrate Miriam Hayman, who is presiding over the case against Mr Mercieca, upheld the request and allowed him to travel to various parts of Africa and bound him by a further guarantee of €5,000.