The trial by jury of former AFM soldier Lorin Scicluna, accused of the racially motivated murder of Ivorian national Lassane Cisse Souleymane, continues today, with further witnesses set to testify.

Tuesday's sitting raised questions about the investigation, with the defence challenging police witnesses over discrepancies in witness accounts and the identification of a vehicle seen travelling at speed near the scene.

CCTV footage showed a white car passing along the road at around 10:54pm, although its registration number could not be established.

During yesterday's sitting, Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras ordered court-appointed expert Martin Bajada to examine the issue concerning police officer Matthew Tonna's phone, which contained a screenshot of the officer's previous testimony and establish who had provided it and whether its disclosure was authorised.

Scicluna is accused of murdering Cissé and attempting to murder three other migrants in alleged racially motivated attacks in February and April 2019.

He denies the charges.

The prosecution is being led by AG lawyers Darlene Grima, Abigail Caruana Vella and Michaela Aquilina from the Attorney General's Office, while Scicluna is represented by defence lawyers Edward Gatt, Kris Busietta and Alessandro Farrugia.

Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras is presiding over the jury.

10:12 The defence suggests that whenever a police officer takes the witness stand, the court should ask whether, apart from the document notifying them to testify, they had also received notes or transcripts from the compilation of evidence relating to their testimony.

Prosecutor Abigail Caruana Vella argues that nothing illegal took place, describing the matter as "a storm in a teacup".

The sitting is suspended once again. Judge Natasha Galea Sciberras will deliver a decree on the matter once the court resumes.

10:05 Lawyer Edward Gatt stands up to address the court regarding Bajada's testimony. He remarks that officer Matthew Tonna, under oath, told the court he had taken a photograph but could not remember where he obtained it.

The lawyer raises the suspicion that witnesses or police officers received copies of court documents.

He argues that a distinction must be made between the Police Commissioner, who has access to such testimony, and police officers who testify as witnesses and are given copies of their own testimony and the bill of indictment.

The defence's hypothesis is that a witness may have been coached by being given access to court documents they were not entitled to see.

The defence also stresses that it would be unfair to approach the matter on the assumption that the prosecutor was the only person present in the courtroom seeking justice.

09:56 After a brief recess, court-appointed expert Martin Bajada takes the witness stand to examine issues concerning police officer Matthew Tonna's mobile phone.

Bajada tells the court that, on 9 October 2026 at 1:20pm, Tonna received an email from Sergeant Gary Scerri, who attached a copy of his testimony given during the compilation of evidence.

The jurors are not present in the courtroom.

09:25 Doctor Karl German told the court he is a doctor and consultant urologist, and that he treated Mohammed Jallow on 7 April 2019. He recounted being called about the emergency and stated the operation took place at 5am.

The patient's history indicated that he had been shot, with a bullet entering his inner thigh and becoming lodged, according to a CT scan.

The court heard that Jallow had a catheter inserted, and blood was present in his urine, indicating trauma to his urinary system.

09:23 The prosecution informs the court that several police officers will testify out of uniform. They also confirm that Charlo Casha, who is no longer a member of the Malta Police Force, will testify in civilian clothing.

The prosecution adds that SOCO officers will also be testifying without their uniforms.

The court approves the request.

09:18 Jurors enter the courtroom and take their seats.

09:17 We're back in Hall 22 to follow Lorin Scicluna's trial by jury.

Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras enters the courtroom.

Before the jurors enter, defence lawyer Edward Gatt asks the court to recommend to the prison director that any clothes and other permissible personal belongings are handed over to the accused.

The lawyer tells the court that Scicluna does not even have underwear to change into, and adds that the accused has also been drinking tap water.