A Libyan man aged 38 was on Thursday charged with the murder of a 62-year-old man in Santa Lucija last March.

Samir Almiri was arraigned in court on Thursday after being extradited to Malta earlier in the week. He was brought to Malta from Casablanca, Morocco, on Tuesday evening.

The victim, Victor McKeon, was found murdered in his home in Misrah Dorell, Santa Lucia, on 17 March. The body had been found in an advanced stage of decomposition, wrapped in black garbage bags and left in the bathroom. McKeon had not been seen in public for a while before his body was discovered.

Appearing in court, Almiri said he had nowhere to stay in Malta at the moment, when asked for his address. He was charged with murder and recidivism.

Lawyer Leontine Calleja, who appeared for Almiri, entered a not guilty plea on his client's behalf. No bail was requested.

Superintendent Keith Arnaud and inspector Wayne Camilleri prosecuted while lawyers Karl Muscat and George Camilleri were from the office of the Attorney General, Lawyer Leontine Calleja was legal aid counsel to the accused.