A 26-year-old Libyan man who lives in St Julian's was yesterday remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to the charge of raping a Hungarian woman early yesterday morning.

Ezzedin Salem Elaoud was also charged with attacking and slightly injuring the woman. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The woman claimed the rape took place in Paceville.

The court ordered that an expert analyses woman's sobriety at the time of alleged offence

The Libyan man has an expired “migration card” , the court was told and a pending application for asylum with the Refugee Commission.

He was arrested on Saturday after police were called to the scene and informed that a bruised and bloodied Hungarian woman lay on the steps of an apartment block in Triq Wilga, Paceville, at around 4am.

The woman was later taken to Mater Dei Hospital to be treated for her injuries. She identified the accused as one of her alleged aggressors before he was arrested by police.

Sources close to the police’s preliminary investigations claimed yesterday that  the woman’s claims were “questionable” because the sexual encounter between her and her alleged aggressor appeared to be “consensual.”

The woman reportedly smelled of alcohol when she was found, prompting the defence to request that an expert be appointed to analyse samples taken from the alleged victim to determine her sobriety at the time of the commission of the alleged offence.

Upholding the defence’s request, the court, presided by Duty Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, ordered that this analysis be done immediately. The court also urged the prosecution to summon the witnesses as soon as possible after the defence said it would not be requesting bail for the accused pending the testimony of the witnesses involved.

As a result, the accused was remanded in custody.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi represented the Libyan, while Legal procurator Quentin Tanti appeared in parte civile for the alleged victim. Police Inspectors Matthew Spagnol and John Spiteri prosecuted.