Updated | Man arraigned over Paceville fracas

Ehab Zorgani, a 22 year old Libyan man from  who resides in Zebbug,  has been remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to charges relating to a multiple stabbing which took place in Paceville yesterday. 

Inspector Saviour Baldacchino arraigned Zorgani before magistrate Joseph Mifsud this afternoon, charging him with two counts of attempted murder and six counts of grievous bodily harm using a sharp instrument. He was also charged with breaching the peace. 

An 18-year-old Dutch man and a Libyan were critically injured, whilst four other men were grievously injured by the knife-wielding Libyan following an argument in Paceville at 4am yesterday morning. The police said the aggressor was arrested after he was chased, on foot, through the streets of Paceville by officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit.

Asked to state his profession, the Libyan said he is unemployed and lives on benefits, to angry murmurs from the public gallery.

Zorgani pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

Sources inform the MaltaToday that the fight appears to have broken out between the accused and two Libyans, none of whom knew each other. The Maltese and Dutch victims were simply bystanders. The cause of the argument is not clear, but police are awaiting results of tests to determine whether or not alcohol was involved.

Magistrate Joseph Mifsud told the accused that he wanted to make it clear that whilst the court wanted to be hospitable and "be a pioneer of protecting the vulnerable fleeing persecution abroad", making reference to recent declarations to this effect by the President and Pope, it would not tolerate those who are granted protection in our country to then commit crimes against the safety of the nation or other citizens.

Lawyer Victor Bugeja, legal aid to the accused, did not request bail. Zorgani was remanded in custody.