Tunisian charged with human trafficking and rape

A Tunisian man has pleaded not guilty to charges of human trafficking and rape, after he was arraigned under arrest before a Magistrate, this afternoon.

Before Magistrate Francesco Depasquale, Inspector Joseph Busuttil charged Mohammed el Herzi , 55, a businessman who owns a textile company and who regularly visits Malta, with trafficking a Tunisian woman, holding her against her will and with violently forcing himself on her.

The woman was certified as having suffered sight injuries as a result of the attack.

While little detail emerged in court this afternoon, it is understood that the two had met in Palermo and the accused had asked the victim to accompany him on a business trip to Malta. The woman had subsequently wanted to leave but el Herzi allegedly did not allow her to.

Defence lawyer Joseph Mizzi entered a plea of not guilty on el Herzi’s behalf. No request for bail was made.