Polish Ambassador to Malta Tomasz Czyszek has said he was “profoundly touched” by the solidarity shown by the Maltese citizens as well as Poles living in Malta following the gruesome murder of a 29-year-old Polish girl last Sunday.

Paulina Dembska was found murdered at Independence Gardens in Sliema. Paulina was in Malta to study English. The police’s main suspect, Abner Aquilina, 20, is being held at Mount Carmel Hospital.

Contacted by The Malta Independent for his comments, Poland’s ambassador said that the murder “shocked everyone. It’s hard to believe this tragedy really happened.

“I am profoundly touched by solidarity expressed these days by lots of Maltese citizens as well as Poles living in Malta. I myself have received words of sympathy from many Maltese friends.

“I have also noted numerous reactions from representatives of the Maltese authorities and various organisations speaking with one voice that we must not stop in our efforts to eradicate aggression, especially towards those who are the most defenseless. I couldn’t agree more,” Czyszek noted.

The ambassador was unable to provide information about Dembska’s burial arrangements, saying that they were personal matters to be decided by the family.

But he said that the Embassy has offered “Ms Paulina Dembska’s family every kind of assistance which we can give.”

He said that at the moment many Poles are overcome with grief and sorrow. “Our hearts go out to Ms Paulina Dembska’s family which now is experiencing enormous pain and suffering.

“While for obvious reasons I cannot speak for all of my compatriots, I believe that the murder will not affect the general feeling of Polish citizens about Malta which is considered as a friendly place to live and which has actually become a second home for many of them.”