A Syrian national was charged in Court last night with the murder of Ebdou Ismael Abod, 29, also from Syria but resident of Hamrun, on the night between Sunday 29 and Monday 30 July.
Ebrahem (aka Ibrahim) Alhamow, 25 from Aleppo, was yesterday charged with dealing the victim numerous blows to the head with a hard, blunt instrument, causing grievous injuries resulting in death.
He was also charged with causing damage exceeding Lm500 to the victim’s vehicle, a white Ford Escort Mark 2 van.
Alhamow, who has been residing in Malta for four years and works in the tiling industry, pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defence counsel Dr Mark Busuttil requested that his client be granted bail, but presiding magistrate Doreen Clark turned down the request after prosecuting officer Inspector Christopher Pullicino argued that Alhamow, who had entered Malta illegally, might attempt to flee the country if granted conditional liberty.
The murder came to light after two tourists spotted the victim’s van below a cliff in Selmun on Monday morning.
Police investigating the case took less than 24 hours to arrest the suspect, making this one of the fastest crimes ever solved locally.
Abod, who worked as a plasterer, was married to a Maltese woman and has been a resident in this country for six years.