Abner Aquilina appeared in court on Thursday evening charged with the rape and murder of Paulina Dembska on 2nd of January 2022.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Paulina Dembska, a Polish national, was found murdered in Independence Gardens in Sliema shortly after 5am on the morning of 2nd January.
Aquilina was arrested shortly afterwards.
He had been held at Mount Carmel Hospital for treatment.
After his court appearance he was taken to Corradino Correctional Facility.
File photo
