A jury trial has begun against Maher Aljasem, the 28-year-old Syrian national accused of murdering Fawaz Najem in Marsalforn in May 2022.The case is being heard before Judge Neville Camilleri.Aljasem has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including the fatal stabbing of Najem, 25, during a confrontation between two groups of Syrian men. He also denies injuring another man, Kazem Abdalaa, and carrying a weapon during the incident as reported by NewsbookPrevious court sittings heard that tensions between the two groups had been escalating for weeks before the fatal encounter. On the day of the incident, an earlier altercation took place outside a café in Marsalforn, where Najem was allegedly struck with a bar before going inside.Later that evening, the groups met again at an apartment, where another fight broke out. Najem was stabbed during this confrontation and later died after being taken to Gozo General Hospital with stab wounds and a head injury.Investigators said Najem had been with three friends, while four men were present on the opposing side. Accounts of the incident differ, with Najem’s friends claiming he tried to calm the situation, while others alleged his group had arrived intending to fight.A jury of nine members, seven women and two men, has been selected, with one of the women appointed as foreperson.The charges faced by Aljasem include voluntary homicide, causing slight injuries, possession of a knife or sharp instrument, and breach of the public peace.The prosecution is being led by lawyers Angele Vella and Cynthia Tomasuolo from the Attorney General’s office.On the defence side, Aljasem is being represented by lawyers Peter Fenech, Amy Zahra and Elena Fenech.Lawyers Franco Debono and Matthew Xuereb are representing the injured party as parte civile.Photo credits to Newsbook•