The body of 24-year-old Marzia Marimar Calleja Maatouk, who was found dead in Libya six months ago, was repatriated to Malta on Thursday night.

A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs told this newsroom that the body of Marzia Marimar Calleja Maatouk arrived in Malta on Thursday night (28th November).

She had been on the run after fleeing the country with her husband Jomic Calleja Maatouk in August of 2023, after he was sentenced to prison for drug-related crimes.

The couple were on Europol's most wanted list and remained missing for months before being tracked in Libya.

She was found dead in the Libyan town of Gharyan last May, and her husband was arrested. He remains arrested in Libya.

"Earlier this year, the Maltese Embassy in Libya submitted an official request received from the family of Marzia Marimar Calleja Maatouk, to the Libyan Foreign Affairs Ministry, for the repatriation of her body. Several additional follow-up requests were issued in the months that followed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Libya had confirmed that Marzia Marimar Calleja Maatouk was found deceased in Gharyan and that the matter was being investigated by the Office of the AG," the Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson said.

"The Maltese Ministry for Foreign Affairs, through its Consular Services Directorate and the Maltese Embassy in Libya, continued to follow up on this matter, coordinating with the Libyan authorities for the release of her body. The Maltese Ambassador to Libya and other officials at the Embassy in Tripoli held several meetings with the Libyan authorities to expedite the release of the body."

Her family were first told she likely died by suicide, but were then informed the body was being kept in Libya for investigations into possible foul play.

"During a meeting with the Office of the AG earlier this month, the Embassy received confirmation that the ongoing inquiries had been concluded, and the body could be repatriated. The Embassy held talks with the Libyan Ministry of Interior and other local authorities to expedite the ensuing process. "

The ministry said that during these preparations, the Embassy was in constant contact with her family in Malta, "even when members of the family were in Libya in recent days. The Embassy also supported the family in the required procedures to identify the body that was held in Gharyan."

It said that earlier this week, the Maltese Consul in Libya travelled to Gharyan, circa 120 kilometres from Tripoli, to facilitate the transfer of the body to Tripoli. "Within a few days, the Embassy concluded all necessary administrative preparations for the repatriation."

Her funeral was meant to be held over the weekend in the Zebbug church, however in a post on social media her brother said it had to be cancelled due to a magisterial inquiry being opened.