The courts were opened briefly yesterday evening for Hammadi Ben Abdallah Rumdani to be accused of killing Mohsen Ben Khediri Ben Ali in Hal Safi barracks during the night between last Monday and Tuesday.

The victim had been asleep for around three hours when he was beaten with the iron leg of a bed. He died on the spot.

Both immigrants are said to have arrived in Malta in June and the accused alleged the victim was his cousin.

The accused’s defence attorney Anthony Cutajar, did not request bail and the man was remanded in custody.

Magistrate Abigail Lofaro presided over the court while inspectors Christopher Pullicino and Walter Spiteri prosecuted.