72-year-old man accused of possessing gunpowder, explosive

A 72-year-old Gozitan was placed under house arrest and ordered to pay a €1,500 deposit, with a personal guarantee of €10,000, after pleading not guilty to the importation, possession and transportation of gunpowder and explosive.

The man, a resident of Gharb, appeared before Magistrate Joanne Vella Cuschieri in the Gozo Courts on Wednesday.

Police inspector Bernard Charles Spiteri accused the man of importing, hoarding and transporting the gunpowder and explosive on 18 February – and for years before that – at a fireworks factory in the limits of Gharb and in other places around the islands.

The man, who is also accused of possession of a firearm and ammunition without the necessary license, pleaded not guilty to all charges.