Salvu Dalli, the man accused of shooting dead his son last August, has been released on bail after spending seven months in jail.

In a sitting on Monday, the magistrate granted bail after taking into account the circumstances of the situation and having seen enough evidence.

Dalli will have to sign a bail book three times a week, between 8am and 8pm, once a day. All passports, travel and identification documents belong to him will have to be deposited at the law court.  He will also be subject to a curfew where he will not be able to leave his residence between 11pm and 6am.

Dalli’s lawyer Lennox Vella suggested that Dalli resides in Zurrieq, and not his native Ghaxaq, as his neighbour – Generoso Bonnici – is still to testify in court. Indeed, the court ruled that Dalli cannot go to the locality until Bonnici testifies.

He must also appear in court whenever summoned, cannot speak to any witnesses, and must not commit any criminal offences.

Bail was granted against a deposit of €10,000. As an added guarantee, he must find three people willing to pay out €10,000 each in the event that he breaches his bail conditions.

In total, any breach in bail will result in a €40,000 total payment, and immediate arrest.

Emergency responders testified during Monday’s sitting, describing the scene of the incident upon their arrival.

They received said that they had a call on 7 August over a gunshot injury. A team of responders went to Hal Ghaxaq at 11:30am, entered the premises, and found the body of Antoine Dalli in the shower.

The medical team tried to use a defibrillator on him, but he was promptly certified dead.

The case will continue on 17 March before Magistrate Marseanne Farrugia.

Police Inspector Roderick Attard is prosecuting.

Lawyer Lennox Vella appeared on behalf of the accused, while Lawyers Francesca Zarb and Franco Debono appeared parte civile for the victim's family.