The Magisterial inquiry into the death of Nicholas Azzopardi, 38, has concluded that he was not assaulted by anyone while he was in police custody between April 8 and 9, the government said in a statement today.

Mr Azzopardi, who died shortly after, had claimed he was beaten by the police and thrown into the ditch.

The inquiry was conducted by Magistrate Anthony Vella.

It concluded that Mr Azzopardi had escaped police custody and jumped off a three -storey-high wall into a ditch behind police headquarters. He suffered grievous injuries which caused his death on April 22.

The inquiry found that the injuries suffered by Mr Azzopardi were compatible with a fall.

Furthermore, slight injuries suffered by a police constable corraborated the claim that he had tried to stop Mr Azzopardi from jumping off the wall.

The Home Affairs Ministry said it was awaiting the findings of a separate inquiry into the case being headed by Judge Albert Manche'.

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