Palestinian Man Charged with Repeatedly Raping Partner in Malta

Mahmoud Abdelkhadir, a 27-year-old Palestinian man, has been charged with repeatedly raping his partner over several months in Cospicua, Malta. Abdelkhadir faces additional charges of detaining the woman against her will, forcing non-consensual sexual acts, causing grievous injury, and harassment.

The case came to the attention of the police's Domestic Violence Unit on April 17 when the alleged victim sought medical treatment following a violent altercation with Abdelkhadir. The woman accused her partner of causing her injuries and alleged multiple instances of rape spanning several months.

Abdelkhadir was arraigned under arrest on Friday and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court granted a publication ban on the victim's identity to avoid secondary victimization and issued a four-year protection order in her favor, prohibiting the defendant from contacting her or monitoring her whereabouts. However, the court denied the defense's request for anonymity for Abdelkhadir.

Why this matters: This case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and sexual assault, which can have severe physical and psychological consequences for victims. It also underscores the importance of support services and legal protections for survivors of such crimes.

The prosecution, led by Inspectors Omar Zammit and Wayne Buhagiar and assisted by Lawyers Cynthia Tomasuolo and Jennifer Polidano, presented the charges against Abdelkhadir in court. No request for bail was made at this stage, and the defendant was remanded in custody. "The alleged sexual offenses were considered aggravated by his relationship with the victim," the prosecution stated.

Key Takeaways

• Palestinian man charged with repeatedly raping partner in Malta
• Victim sought medical treatment, alleged multiple instances of rape
• Defendant pleaded not guilty, denied request for anonymity
• Court issued 4-year protection order, defendant remanded in custody
• Case highlights domestic violence, importance of support services