The murder in Sliema was accidental, not related to sex, police say
Police do not believe Paulina Dembska was targeted because of her sex, they said, before accusing a man of raping and killing her.
Officials said at a conference on crime that Abner Aqulina from Zejtun will face charges in a case expected later on Thursday.
A 29-year-old Dembska was found dead in the Independence Garden in Sliema in a random murder that shocked the country and led to calls for better protection of women.
Brandon Pisani, Information Officer for the Malta Police Force said: “The investigation shows that the case was not premeditated. There was no specific target, no particular gender was targeted, nor was the victim specifically targeted. “
Police said there was no prior link between the suspect and the victim.
Dembska was killed at around 5.15am on 2 January. While police found evidence of rape, they could not say whether it occurred before or after the murder.
Aquilina was arrested on the day of the murder but was referred to Mount Carmel Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation. It was released on Wednesday.
Police confirmed they were investigating allegations that Aquilina had previously sexually harassed young women but said she had not received any reports prior to the murder and appealed for people to come out.
The crime conference was the first time police have briefed the public on the 11-day murder case.
Deputy Commissioner Ramon Mercieca said that the police wanted to put people to rest and therefore there will be an increase in the presence of the police in Sliema.
“Malta is still a safe place,” he said.
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‘Not related to sex’
4.57pm Police appeared to deny allegations that the murder was linked to the fact that Paulina Dembska is a woman. Pisani insists it was a “casual” case, “nothing to do with the sex of the victim”.
Love River Connection
4.48pm Police are being asked about the connection to the evangelical River of Love movement after members were questioned. “We talk to anyone who can help,” says Pisani.
It is unclear when the rape took place
4.45pm Inspector Keith Arnaud now. He says police are unclear whether the victim was raped before or after the murder.
“It’s hard to tell if she was raped when she was still alive,” he says, “or if her heart wasn’t beating at the time.”
‘Malta is still a safe place’
4.43pm Deputy Commissioner Ramon Mercieca now. He says that the police want to put people in mind and therefore there will be an increase in the presence of the police in Sliema.
The “unintentional” murder is believed by Mercieca. “Malta is still a safe place”.
Social media claims
4.39pm Police should also investigate the claims on social media. After Aquilina was arrested, young women began to share their sexual harassment stories.
Police said they had not received any reports of this before the killings and investigations are ongoing.
Rape and murder
4.38pm Abner Aqulina will be charged with rape and murder, Pisani confirms.
No links
4.34pm Information Officer Brandon Pisani repeats some information we already know. The suspect was arrested, then sent to Karmnu an hour after the arrest, was released and interrogation continued.
At this stage the police think Paulina was not a specific target. There was no connection between her and the alleged suspect Abner Aquilina.
Waiting
4.25pm We are at the police headquarters where officers are due to give their first update in 11 days on their investigation into the murder of Polish woman Paulina Dembska.
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