Police investigating the Marsaxlokk murder last Sunday, over which a man has been charged, have now turned their attention to two men they suspect may have been indirectly involved in the incident.

Anthony Borg, 39, known as Il-Bona, died of stab wounds just off Marsaxlokk square after an argument which spilled over from the Nationalist Party club close by.

Two days later, Allan Galea, 31, was charged with the crime.

Sources said the investigators were now focusing on two men, one of them related to the victim and the other to the alleged killer. The police believe they may have somehow been involved in the argument between the accused and the victim that allegedly led to the murder. Both have been questioned several times.

Meanwhile, the police are still looking for a firearm, which Mr Galea claims was used by the victim who shot at him during the argument.

Mr Galea pleaded not guilty, adding that "he shot me", referring to Mr Borg. In fact, his defence lawyer, Joseph Giglio, has asked the court to order that gunshot residue tests be carried out on the victim's body. Tests have been carried out since and Mr Borg's funeral was held yesterday. Investigators are awaiting the test results.

Dr Giglio also asked the court to ensure that footage captured by security cameras belonging to a nearby bank be preserved as evidence and for mobile phone service providers to hand over any information they might have about calls made by the victim to the accused and his girlfriend.

The requests were upheld by Magistrate Miriam Hayman.

Mr Galea, who was remanded in custody, also stands charged with carrying a knife during the commission of a crime and with not having a licence to carry it.