Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela has defended police actions against Libyan man Nour Eddine Ibrahim Hamid, the prime suspect in the murder of Silvana Muscat.

Mr Hamid escaped to Italy before his former wife's lifeless body was found on Thursday.

Mr Abela said the police took immediate steps in all three instances when reports about Mr Hamid were received. They spoke to him and also acted against him. On the third occasion, he was arraigned under arrest.

He admitted the charges and he was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years and fined €100. The court also bound the accused with a €1,000 guarantee not to talk to the victim.  

Sources said that not so long ago Mr Hamid was spotted in the whereabouts and the police were alerted but when they arrived he had already left.

“In this case, I can state with certainty that the police took all the necessary steps they are obliged to take immediately. He was put under a guarantee, which is different from a protection order. Did she merit having a police officer on guard with her? We now have the benefit of hindsight but don’t forget the court took into consideration the fact he had never once laid a hand on her or, at least, she had never reported physical abuse. Unfortunately, he (allegedly) went to the other extreme by killing her. Following the sentence, had he approached her and, for instance, beat her up, she could have reported him to the police and he would probably have ended up behind bars,” Mr Abela said.

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