Mystery Surrounds the Fate of an Arms Dealer After His Wife’s Murder in Libya

Between Libya and Malta, the case of a Maltese arms and drug dealer wanted in his country after his wife was found murdered in the city of Gharyan, 80 km from Tripoli, is generating strong reactions.

According to “Newsbook Malta,” Maltese authorities are awaiting a response from their Libyan counterparts regarding the fate of the dealer, whether he has been arrested or not, and the return of his wife’s body. They were among the most wanted by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) after being tracked down in Libya.

The circumstances of Jomik Calija Matouk and his wife Marzia’s case date back to last May when Libyan authorities arrested him and found his 24-year-old partner murdered.

The suspects had been on the run since August 2023 after Matouk was sentenced in Malta to five years in prison for importing explosives and attempting to buy poison online. He appealed the sentence and was released on bail.

His wife was convicted in a separate case and sentenced to 15 months in prison for possession of drugs with intent to traffic. She is believed to have fled Malta by sea, spent some time hiding in Serbia, and at some point, reportedly spent time in Italy before heading to Libya.

Maltese blogger Mark Camilleri reported that Marzia’s autopsy concluded she was strangled and that her husband is being treated as a suspect.