Mother denies killing her daughter

A 58-year-old Russian woman yesterday denied murdering her daughter who was found dead in a Xemxija apartment on Monday morning.

Tamara Gennadievan Boube­kova said no in Russian and then in English when asked whether she was guilty of murdering 28-year-old Yulia Kalinina.

Wearing a red track suit top with black stripes, dark blue trousers and a grey faux fur coat, black haired Ms Gennadievan Boube­kova sat sheepishly in the dock while her lawyer, Joseph Giglio, asked that his client be given her personal belongings so she could at least change her clothes.

The court turned down the request after Police Inspector Chris Pullicino said scene of the crime officers were still doing their work and wanted to preserve any evidence.

Dr Giglio also requested that a number of injuries sustained by his client be documented and Mr Pullicino informed the court that had already been done by forensic pathologist Mario Scerri.

Bail would not be requested as it was still premature, Dr Giglio told the court.

The lifeless body of Ms Kalinina was discovered by neighbours in the apartment she shared with her mother. It is thought she was suffocated up to two days before the discovery.

The police said on Monday afternoon the apartment was “disturbed”, with broken glass and other items strewn on the floor. This, they said, indicated a struggle had taken place and that there had been some kind of argument.

Ms Kalinina was in clothes normally worn when indoors. Her body was on the floor next to a sofa.

An autopsy revealed she had been suffocated by someone who covered her mouth and nose.

The accused is also being represented by Dr Katia Mercieca.