A prosecutor from the Attorney General's office was found dead in his residence in Swieqi.
The police had been advised that assistance was needed in a residence located on Triq is-Sirk at 12.45pm, after a man was found dead by his relatives, police spokesman Brandon Pisani told media present on site. The 43-year-old man was Karl Muscat.
Police officers from the Major Crimes unit as well as the District Police are on site. Police were seen looking into a car that was parked outside of his residence.
The cause of death is yet to be established and an autopsy still needs to take place. Police said that it doesn't appear that any third parties were involved in the man's death, however nothing has been excluded.
Asked about reports that the house was turned upside down, Pisani said that this doesn't appear to be the case. Investigations are still ongoing and a magisterial inquiry is being led by Magistrate Gabriella Vella.
Muscat was praised by a magistrate in March for his dedication in proceedings against Yorgen Fenech and Vince Buhagiar - former Progress Press director, when he was attending sittings instead of colleagues of his who were on strike.
Muscat was also working on the case against former More Supermarkets Owner Ryan Schembri and was also representing the AG's office in proceedings against Christian Borg and five others who are accused of kidnapping.
Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said in a short post on Facebook that he was shocked by Muscat’s death, and offered his condolences to the lawyer’s relatives.
“While noting the first statements by the police’s spokesperson, I appeal to the public to respect the families and the investigation which is ongoing,” he said.
In a post on Facebook, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech paid tribute to Muscat, who was a PN councillor for some years.
Muscat was the son of former parliamentary secretary Pierre Muscat, who served in the Fenech Adami government.
Photo and video: Giuseppe Attard