Two men charged with theft and violent behaviour

Two Tunisian plasterers, Mahdi Warfilli, 23 and 18-year old Mohammed Idris Magdoub, pleaded not guilty to stealing cash, damaging vehicles and attempting to grievously injure three Somalis in an argument in Birzebbugia.

Prosecuting Inspectors Johann Fenech and Melvyn Camilleri explained how during the night of 11 June, the two accused were stealing from cars in Birzebbugia, when an argument ensued with Somali nationals Yaasin Aweis Isxaaq, Mahdi Burgale Ali and Abdi Salaan Mahamad Abtidon. During the argument Mahdi Warfilli brandished a knife.

As the argument turned into a fight, a number of vehicles parked in the area were damaged.

The cars belonged to Raymond Farrugia, Domenic Briffa, Anthony Mary Abela, Patrick Dalli, Joseph Farrugia and Mary Mizz.

The accused also stole cash from the vehicles belonging to Raymond Farrugia and Domenic Briffa.

The two Tunisians were charged with theft of cash, attempted grievous bodily harm and damaging private property.  Warfilli on his own was also charged with carrying an unlicensed edged weapon.

Legal aid lawyer Alessandro Lia, requested bail, saying the accused have been living in Malta for about a year, and were not involved in any crime.

“As for the damaged cars , the accused have no idea who the owners are”, the lawyer said.

The prosecution opposed bail claiming the victims lived in the same area as the accused. “The three victims live a corner away from where the Tunisians reside”, the inspector said.

Magistrate Natasha Sciberras granted bail to the accused against a personal guarantee of €7,000 each.