‘Political pressure’ behind murder suspect’s move

A man who stands accused of raping and murdering a Polish student in Sliema on January 2 last year was transferred from Mount Carmel mental hospital, where he had been remanded under court order, to the Forensic Unit following “political pressure,” a lawyer claimed yesterday.

The accused, Abner Aquilina, was arrested soon after the gruesome murder of Paulina Dembska. He was initially certified as unfit for interrogation and prosecution but was subsequently declared fit to face criminal charges.

The Magistrates’ Court later ordered a re-assessment by three psychiatrists and on the basis of their conclusion, decreed that Aquilina was to be detained at the mental hospital.

His lawyers claim that he had been receiving adequate treatment there and was making progress until, suddenly, an application was filed on behalf of Mount Carmel Hospital’s CEO requesting the court to authorise Aquilina’s transfer to the Forensic Unit.

The unit, although situated within the grounds of the mental hospital, is run by the prison authorities.

Aquilina’s lawyers are demanding that he be moved back to the hospital proper, arguing that since the transfer, he had not received adequate treatment.

Attorney General lawyer Darlene Grima said Aquilina’s transfer to the Forensic Unit did not breach the original court decree since it followed the same criteria as the mental hospital and offered adequate treatment.

Aquilina’s lawyer Mario Mifsud strongly rebutted: “There was political pressure and Abner was transferred after an application was filed without the defence was even granted the chance to make submissions.”

I hate it when those in power exert pressure according to likes on Facebook

The defence was not saying that the accused should be released or given special privileges, but he definitely needed treatment and was not ready for transfer out of the mental hospital.

“I hate it when those in power exert pressure according to comments and likes on Facebook. I say this with responsibility. There was pressure because society thinks that if sent to Mount Carmel, Abner would escape punishment… There was pressure to remove him to the Forensic Unit under the excuse that the two places are the same… But they are not,” stressed the lawyer.

The court is expected to decree on the matter at the next sitting.