Man accused of partially blinding barman released on bail

The man accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a barman in a Bugibba bar on Saturday has been released on bail after pleading not guilty to the charges against him.

Srdan Simic, 23, from Serbia, was arraigned in front of magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona today charged with having involuntarily caused grievous bodily harm to Ryan Magro, a barman at Munchies pub.

Magro, a husband and father who works as a barman for Munchies Bar in Bugibba, is a well-known musician, and plays guitar for Malta's Eurovision singer Claudia Faniello as well as Ozzy Lino.

Witnesses to the incident had previously said that the incident took place when two men were asked to leave after becoming intoxicated and began to bother other patrons. One of the men then turned to Magro, who was smoking a cigarette outside, and smashed a pint glass in his face, causing grievous injuries to his left eye. Magro’s family members and witnesses have described the attack as “unprovoked.”

Simic was arrested along with two other men on Wednesday after police raided an Qawra apartment.

Today, the court heard a witness, who claims to have known Simic for four years, describe how on Saturday evening he had gone out with the accused and other friends at around 9:00pm. They had been to Munchies pub when around 1:10am, a man grabbed him by the shirt and told him to leave, the witness said.

The witness could not identify the man, having covered his face. The witness also admitted to being drunk at the time. 

While the prosecution argued strongly against bail, the court upheld Simic’s request against a personal guarantee of €5,000, while requiring him to sign the bail book daily between 4pm and 9.30pm. The magistrate broadened the timeframe after hearing that Simic is fearing retaliation from the victim's family. 

Simic was also ordered to remain indoors between 10:00pm and 5:30am, as well as not to approach Munchies or any of the civilian witnesses. 

Lawyer Robert Montalto acted as Simic’s defence counsel.