The funeral of lawyer Carmel Chircop, who was shot dead inside his garage last week, was held this morning in Birkirkara.

Dr Chircop, 51, was shot four times in the upper body by an unknown assailant in a multi-storey garage in John Borg Street, where his car was parked, at 7.30am on Thursday.

Although the police have said Dr Chircop had received death threats in the past, the motive behind the murder is still unclear as the police continue to investigate the lawyer’s professional work and personal life including financial transactions.

The Malta Independent on Sunday reported last week how Dr Chircop held 157 positions across 117 different companies. Dr Chircop’s business network alone presents hundreds of potential leads to investigators involved in the already complicated case.

The police believe the killer left the scene of the crime in a light-coloured small car, which was seen on CCTV cameras minutes after the murder.

The Duke of Connaught’s Band, of which Dr Chircop was president, took part in the funeral. A procession was held along Valley Road, followed by mass at St Helen’s Basilica.

A number of politicians, including Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia, were also present.