A man who was held in custody since March after being accused of the murder of Roderick Grech, known as “ic-China”, was released on bail today.

Etienne Bartolo, 36, nicknamed “il-Vojt” had been denied bail pending an inquiry into the fatal stabbing which had reportedly been sparked off by a drug deal gone wrong.  

During the compilation of evidence it had emerged that the alleged aggressor had met his victim inside the latter's car in Tumas Fenech Street, Birkirkara, to traffic drugs.

Dying man uttered his alleged killer's nickname, court told

Following an application to the criminal court, Mr Bartolo was today was granted supervised freedom under a number of strict conditions.

Madame Justice Edwina Grima, upheld the request for bail after considering the previous conduct of the accused, the stage of the proceedings and the fact that all civilian witnesses had already testified. Only police officers and court-appointed experts are still to take the witness stand.

The court therefore granted bail against a deposit of €10,000 and a personal guarantee of €30,000, with orders for Mr Bartolo to sign the bail book daily at the local police station between 8.00am and 8.00pm. He is also to abide by a curfew that will keep him indoors between 10.00pm and 7.00am.

Furthermore, the court placed Mr Bartolo under a provisional supervision order, warning him to keep away from any of the prosecution’s witnesses.

Lawyer Edward Gatt was defence counsel.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Angie Muscat and Yanika Vidal are appearing parte civile.

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