A 42-year-old Libyan man was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to attempting to murder his Maltese wife in Naxxar on Tuesday.

Before magistrate Audrey Demicoli, Khaled Khalifa Al-Ashtar, a construction worker, also pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring his wife as well as to threatening and harassing her and to

breaching the peace.

The prosecution, led by Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia, opposed the defendant’s request for bail on the grounds that the man had disobeyed a court order that prohibited him from approaching the woman’s house.

He informed the court that the woman is currently being treated at St Luke’s Hospital where she also underwent surgery.

The court remanded the man in custody until the woman is fit to testify in court.

Magistrate Demicoli upheld the prosecution’s request for the court to appoint an expert to evaluate the woman’s injuries. She appointed Dr Mario Scerri.

Dr Mark Busuttil was legal aid to the accused while Dr Vincent Micallef and Dr Andy Ellul appeared parte civile for the woman.