Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538630
4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 AUGUST 2025 NEWS juring a man, drink-driving, reckless else. He was also accused of damag- cuti did not contest the validity of the evidence. Moreover, it was noted CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Her killer confessed to the crime and was arrested shortly after, but was grant- ed bail just eight months later. More than five years on, the case has yet to be heard in court. In a Facebook post titled "She Should Be Here", Camilleri lamented the lack of jus- tice for her sister and her children. "Every birthday she misses is another year the Maltese courts tell her children their mother's life did not matter, and an- other year those in power choose not to put it right" she wrote. "If a man who confessed to killing can walk free for years then justice in Malta is not delayed. It is denied." Camilleri described the years-long delay as not just a legal failure, but a societal one that undermines trust in the justice system and places other women at risk. "This is no longer private grief. It is pub- lic failure. It is about the safety of every woman, every family, every one of us," she said. She also recalled that the accused had been reported for domestic violence last year, yet remained free. "When justice takes this long it sends a clear message that you can kill, abuse or destroy and the system will still give you years of free- dom," she added. Closing her post with a tribute to her sister, Camilleri wrote: "On what should have been her 40th birthday, Chantelle is still waiting for justice to finally rest in peace. Her life was stolen. His freedom is gifted. Is this the court's idea of justice?" 'On what should have been her 40th birthday, Chantelle is still waiting for justice' On what would have been her 40th birthday, the sister of murder victim Chantelle Chetcuti has condemned years of court delays Court hears how man on bail defied travel ban and opened bank account in Syria A court heard on Tuesday how a man who was granted bail with permission to travel only to Ro- mania instead went to Syria, where he opened a bank account and deposited money. 48-year-old Syrian Hamid Saleh, residing in Fgura, had been charged with breaching bail con- ditions and orchestrating false medical certificate on 22 July. Saleh is currently awaiting a jury in relation to human trafficking charges. On Tuesday, the compilation of evidence in his regard continued to be heard before Magistrate Si- mone Grech. Inspector Karl Roberts briefly explained how police discovered Saleh had flown from Malta to Syria in mid-July. Roberts described how Ha- mid Saleh was out on bail, dur- ing which he filed an application to go abroad. He explained that although the Attorney General had not objected to the original request to travel, the accused departed and returned on differ- ent dates than permitted, thus breaching his bail terms. A medical certificate was also presented to the police station on the day he was away by his son, denoting that his father could not sign because he was ill. As a result, charges were filed against all three men: Saleh, his son and the doctor who signed the certificate. The certificate was issued by Raymond Fenech, 69, of Qormi who was granted bail. The son admitted to delivering the false certificate at his father's request, receiving an 18-month suspended sentence. Roberts also testified that Hamid Saleh was arrested at Malta Inter- national Airport upon his return, carrying documents confirming that he made deposits in Syria. Cross-examined, Roberts con- firmed that Saleh had lived in Malta for 20 years, owned proper- ty in the country, and resided with his wife and children. Defence lawyer Matthew Xuer- eb suggested Syrians were increas- ingly returning to their homeland following political changes but Roberts disagreed, saying that no Syrian wanted to return home. The inspector added that Saleh's residence permit was based on subsidiary protection and was renewed on the grounds that he could not return to Syria. Yet passport stamps and bank documents showed he had trav- elled there despite these claims. "He claimed he could not return to Syria because it was too danger- ous, yet he travelled there none- theless," inspector Karl Roberts testified. The son refused to testify against his father. Request for bail Meanwhile, Saleh's defence team argued he should be granted bail, stressing his family ties and clean criminal record. The prose- cution objected, warning he posed a serious flight risk. Inspector Lydon Zammit argued his family and property in Malta do not tie him to the country. In- spector Karl Roberts agreed, not- ing that Saleh has several contacts with Syrian authorities and that he had previously acquired a fake passport, something which he can easily do again. Defence lawyer Charles Mer- cieca described the prosecution's arguments as "contradictory," stressing that the only reason his client is appearing before the court is because he voluntarily chose to return to Malta. Mercieca argued the prosecu- tion cannot claim both that there is a risk of flight and at the same time acknowledge that his client left the country and came back. "Yes, he left when he was not supposed to, but the ultimate point is that he returned," Mercie- ca said. He further held that Saleh always respected his bail obligations. Mercieca also argued that Saleh is willing to offer his family home up as a guarantee to maintain good faith with the court. The court will rule on the bail re- quest at a later date. The sitting was adjourned to 2 September at 9am. Magistrate Simone Grech pre- sided over the court. Police in- spectors Karl Roberts and Lydon Zammit prosecuted. Lawyers Alfred Abela, Charles Mercieca, and Matthew Xuereb appeared for Saleh. Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for Fenech. MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt