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A 28-year-old construction worker was granted bail after pleading not guilty to a series of serious charges, including repeatedly raping his wife, sexually assaulting her and subjecting her to domestic violence.

The accused, a Syrian national residing in Ħaż-Żebbuġ, appeared before the Court after his wife filed a police report on 19 June alleging that she had been repeatedly raped, physically assaulted and subjected to domestic abuse over a period of time.

The court heard that the former couple share a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and had been living together until the alleged victim left the matrimonial home following the alleged incidents and moved in with her mother.

The court further heard allegations the accused had, on several occasions, urged the alleged victim's mother to take the couple's two-and-a-half-year-old daughter to Libya. The allegation was among the factors raised by the prosecution in objecting to bail.

The validity of the arrest was not contested by the defence and was subsequently confirmed by the court. The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Requesting bail, the defence argued that the accused has lived in Malta for more than seven years, has a fixed residence, is employed in the construction industry and has strong ties to the country.

The prosecution objected to the request, arguing that the alleged victim, who is 21 years old, has not yet testified and that there remains a real risk of interference with witnesses. The prosecution also told the court that when police officers first explained the seriousness of the allegations to the woman, she appeared visibly shocked.

After hearing submissions from both sides, the court granted bail under a number of strict conditions. The accused was ordered not to approach or contact the alleged victim, her mother or the minor child and was placed under a protection order. The court also ruled that the protection order in favour of the child would remain in force unless another competent court orders otherwise. Should another court regulate access to the child, the accused may only exercise those rights in accordance with that order.

As part of his bail conditions, the accused must sign at a police station every day, observe a nightly curfew requiring him to remain indoors between 8pm and 5am, surrender his passport, refrain from leaving Malta or committing any further offences, and deposit €10,000 along with a personal guarantee of €40,000.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Omar Zammit, assisted by lawyer Cynthia Tomasuolo from the Office of the Attorney General.

The accused was represented by lawyers Peter Fenech, Matthew Xuereb and Francesca Vella.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit presided over the case.