Inmate sets mattress on fire in Division 1

An inmate has set fire to his own mattress in a prison cell at the Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF), MaltaToday is informed.

Sources close to the matter explained that Zouhair Hadoumi set his mattress on fire, although no injuries were reported.

Hadoumi is one of three people accused of killing 67-year-old Joseph Carabott in his own jewel shop in Żurrieq. Two accomplices in the murder, Mohamed Anas Boualam and Donna Sciberras are currently serving a 32-year and 28-year prison sentence respectively.

Carabott was discovered by his children, bound and unconscious in a pool of blood inside his Żurrieq shop on 25 August 2023. He suffered catastrophic head injuries and never recovered, dying on 5 April 2025.

A police report over the fire has been filed. 

Responding to questions from this newspaper, CCF CEO Christopher Siegersma said that officers took immediate action following the fire.

"As a precaution, those involved were taken to Mater Dei Hospital for observation," he confirmed.

Hadoumi had three pleas rejected by court a few days ago

This comes after a court rejected all three pleas raised by the defence ahead of Zouhair Hadoumi’s trial by jury.

Zouhair Hadoumi stands accused of wilful homicide following the death of jeweller Joseph Carabott, as well as aggravated theft involving items valued at more than €52,900, illegal sequestration, voluntary damage to property, and disobeying legitimate police orders.

Hadoumi had sought to have the wilful homicide charge dropped, arguing there was an “absolute lack of proof” of criminal intent. While admitting to having taken part in the robbery and to tying jeweller Joseph Carabott’s feet, he categorically denied inflicting any blows to the victim’s head.

A second plea centred on the testimony of co-accused Mohamed Anas Boualam, who is currently serving a 32-year prison sentence in connection with the murder, which the defence described as “intrinsically dangerous”.

Lawyers argued that Boualam’s testimony had effectively been “bought” through a plea bargain that resulted in a reduced sentence. This, they argued, gave him a strong incentive to shift primary responsibility onto Hadoumi.

The defence also alleged a breach of fair trial rights. They argued that previous judgments concerning Hadoumi’s accomplices had already established a “judicial truth” identifying him as the main aggressor.

In its ruling, the court rejected all three pleas.