Polish Tourist Admits Punching Moroccan Man Who Died in Malta
Surveillance footage shows the final moments of Abdellatif Oumakhlouf,, a 31-year-old Moroccan man killed in Malta. The Polish suspect admitted punching him before fleeing. He later allegedly pleaded with police to tell him his victim was still alive.
“Tell me I didn’t kill him. Tell me he’s not dead.” That was reportedly Sebastian Malinowski’s first reaction when Maltese police arrested him after Abdellatif Oumakhlouf’s death. The 27-year-old Polish tourist, visibly panicked, reportedly apologized several times. Police officers recounted these statements at a hearing before the Maltese courts on Monday, October 12, providing new details about the death of the young Moroccan man, whose body was found in Spinola Gardens in St Julian’s on September 27.
On Bladi.net : Moroccan Man Found Dead in Malta Garden; Family Seeks to Bring His Body Home
Investigators now have particularly important footage. According to the Times of Malta, cameras at a venue near the gardens show the suspect quickly approaching Abdellatif, who was with a woman. The two men face each other, move slightly apart, and then the Moroccan man collapses.
The Pole then takes off his white shirt, collects belongings left on a bench and leaves. But he returns a few moments later. The footage shows him looking at Abdellatif, still lying motionless on the ground, before clasping his hands, raising them to his head and leaving again.
This sequence undermines part of his defense. During questioning, Malinowski had claimed that the Moroccan man approached him aggressively. Police, however, say the recordings show the suspect walking toward Abdellatif instead.
“I punched him only once”
The Polish tourist admitted to investigators that he punched the Moroccan man in the face with his right fist. He maintains, however, that he acted after being provoked and insists he never intended to cause his death. According to his account, the argument began over a woman he had tried to communicate with but could not make himself understood.
A woman who was in the gardens told police she saw the suspect hit Abdellatif. Another witness had filmed the Pole a few minutes earlier, when he appeared agitated and was throwing punches into the air.
The autopsy found that the young Moroccan man died from trauma caused by a forceful impact. The investigation is expected to clarify, in particular, the role of the punch and the fall that followed.
Police also described the suspect’s condition when he was arrested in the St George’s Bay area. He smelled of alcohol and had a small bloodstain on the lower part of his shirt. By his own account, he had spent part of the night drinking in bars in Paceville and had taken an intoxicating substance he could not identify.
Asked why he had returned to the gardens, Malinowski said he was looking for his phone and other personal belongings. He reportedly realized the seriousness of the situation when he saw Abdellatif still lying on the ground. He then allegedly tried to call a friend, who confirmed to investigators that he had received a call during which the Pole seemed to be in a state of panic.
On Bladi.net : Moroccan Killed in Malta to Be Repatriated as Family and Friends Say Goodbye
Abdellatif’s family, who had arranged for his body to be repatriated to Morocco, is still waiting for the exact circumstances of his death to be established. The young man worked in construction in Malta and financially supported relatives who remained in the Kingdom.
Sebastian Malinowski, who is charged with intentional homicide and grievous bodily harm resulting in death, has pleaded not guilty. He remains in pretrial detention. The next hearing is scheduled for October 26, when the court will continue examining witness testimony and evidence gathered by investigators.
