Antonel Dobre, a Romanian construction worker, was yesterday charged with causing the death of a Sudanese man in Paceville two weeks ago.
Speaking only to confirm his particulars, Mr Dobre pleaded not guilty to causing serious injury that led to the death of 27-year-old Osama Al Shazliay Saleh, also known as Sunshine, on March 17 at about 6.30 a.m.
Defence lawyer Adrian Camilleri told the court that media reports saying that his client had tried to escape justice and ran away to his home country were incorrect.
Before the Romanian police had even time to arrest him, he had already purchased an air ticket to return to Malta, the lawyer said.
Mr Dobre, 26, in fact chose not to undergo extradition proceedings in Romania and returned to Malta voluntarily to face charges.
Another suspect assisted the police in their investigations into the incident but was not directly involved, sources said.
Magistrate Neville Camilleri remanded Mr Dobre in custody.