A Syrian man was charged late yesterday evening with murdering a fellow national on Sunday night in Selmun.

Ibrahim Alhmou, 25, denied killing Ismail Ebdou Abod after allegedly repeatedly hitting him on the head with a hard object.

The alleged victim, who was married to a Maltese woman, was found dead in his car in Selmun. He was spotted by two tourists on the rocks at around 10.40am on Monday.

Mr Alhmou, who said he works as a tile-layer, also pleaded not guilty to damaging Mr Abod’s car.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke heard the defendant’s lawyer Mark Busuttil say that his client is categorically denying involvement in the case.

He said he has been in Malta for the past four years and has every intention of defending himself against the charges brought against him.

Police Superintendent Antonello Grech said that the defendant had been deported from Malta in 2003 but had managed to get into Malta once again. He added that he does not even have a fixed address.

The court said that the accused does not offer the guarantees required by law and therefore refused the request for bail.

Police Superintendent Antonello Grech and Police Inspector Chris Pullicino prosecuted.

Dr Mark Busuttil appeared for the accused as legal aid.