A 27-year-old Polish tourist pleaded not guilty in court on Monday in connection with the death of a 31-year-old Moroccan man in St Julian's on Sunday morning.

Sebastian Malinowski, who works in a Dutch warehouse, was remanded in custody.

Inspector Stephen Gulia took the stand to detail how the investigation unfolded after police and emergency services were dispatched to a garden in St Julian's at approximately 6.30am. Officers discovered an injured 31-year-old Moroccan man, later identified as Abdellatif Oumakhlouf, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Eyewitness accounts and a review of CCTV footage quickly pointed investigators toward a suspect who had engaged in a verbal and physical confrontation with the victim shortly before emergency services were notified.

Roughly two hours later, the Rapid Intervention Unit tracked down Malinowski in the St George's Bay area. Still wearing the clothing captured on surveillance footage, he was identified, informed of his legal rights, and taken into custody - first at St Julian's police station and subsequently transferred to Police Headquarters.

During the court proceedings, Dounia Borg Lakehal was present as a representative of the Moroccan association in Malta to support the victim's family.

Guided by legal aid lawyer Ingrid Zammit Young, the accused confirmed his personal particulars, noting that his father is deceased and his mother is alive.

Speaking in a subdued and barely audible voice, Malinowski pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

The case will now be formally assigned to a magistrate to initiate the compilation of evidence, during which the prosecution will present its gathered documentation, witness testimonies, and physical materials, while the defense retains full opportunity to challenge those submissions.