A Ghanaian man has pleaded not guilty to the femicide of 47-year-old Miriam Azzopardi, who was found dead in a field in Marsa on Wednesday.

Isaac Asare, who resides in Triq is-Sajjieda, Marsa, was arraigned before Magistrate Astrid May Grima on Friday and pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

Asare was charged with the wilful homicide of Miriam Azzopardi, with the prosecution alleging that he maliciously caused her death with the intent to kill her or place her life in manifest jeopardy.

He also faces a charge of stealing Azzopardi's mobile phone and other items, with the theft allegedly aggravated by violence, the time at which it was committed and the value of the stolen property, which did not exceed €2,329.37.

The prosecution is being led by Attorney General lawyer Kaylie Bonett, assisted by police inspectors Kurt Zahra, Wayne Camilleri and Miriam Scicluna.

Seven members of Azzopardi's family, including her daughter, were present in the courtroom for the arraignment and sat at the back of the court.

Police officers wearing latex gloves sat on either side of the accused.

As proceedings began, Inspector Kurt Zahra took the stand and submitted the charge sheet together with personal documents found on Asare at the time of his arrest, including an Italian identity card.

Asare struggled to speak as he gave his personal details.

The court heard that Asare was born in Ghana and currently resides in Marsa. He is unemployed and frequents the Marsa roundabout in search of casual, short-term work.

The court was also told that both of his parents are dead.

Asare pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

His lawyers did not request bail, while his arrest was not contested.

Prosecutors requested a protection order in favour of Azzopardi's family. The request was upheld by the magistrate, who granted the protection order in favour of her children, brother and mother.

Azzopardi was found under trees in a field beside Triq is-Salib tal-Marsa at around 10.20am on Wednesday after a member of the public spotted her body and alerted police officers who were patrolling nearby.

The 47-year-old was later identified as Miriam Azzopardi, a Maltese national who lived in St Paul's Bay.

An autopsy found marks on Azzopardi's neck indicating that she had been strangled. Investigators believe she was killed at the same location where her body was found, around 12 hours before its discovery.

Police arrested Asare in Marsa on Wednesday evening following investigations into Azzopardi's death.

The accused has been remanded in custody until the next sitting.

Asare is being represented by legal aid lawyer Rachel Tua.

Parte civile lawyers Arthur Azzopardi, Franco Debono and Matthew Xuereb are representing Azzopardi's family.

Photo: Miguela Xuereb / Newsbook Malta