Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit has turned down a request for bail for the three men accused of murdering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, two days after submissions were made.

After hearing last Tuesday's oral submissions by the men's lawyers and by the prosecution, the magistrate concluded there were various reasons to justify the refusal of bail. The compilation of evidence will continue on Friday.

The very serious nature of the offences charged, the protection of public order, the risk that the alleged culprits could possibly commit other offences as well as the risk of absconding, especially in view of the fact they were facing a maximum punishment of life imprisonment, all warranted against the granting of bail.

It was precisely on account of the fact that these men, if found guilty, could face a jail term for life that the granting of bail was not “an automatic right,” the court declared in its decree turning down the request in respect of all three of the arrested men.

Brothers Alfred Degiorgio (known as Il-fulu) and George Degiorgio (Iċ-Ċiniz) as well as Vince Muscat, (known as il-koħħu) have been under arrest since a dawn raid on a Marsa warehouse on December 4. They were arraigned on the following day.

They have pleaded not guilty to the car bomb murder which shocked the nation on October 16.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit has already ruled that there is enough evidence for the three to stand trial.

The three were taken to court under strict security by armed policemen shortly before the sitting began on Tuesday.