Man accused of rape withdraws request for open hearing

The defence counsel of the Arab man charged with raping a 55-year-old woman yesterday withdrew his request for the case to be heard in open court in light of the concern expressed by the victim's lawyer.

Jamal Badawi's lawyer, Roberto Montalto, withdrew the request after the woman testified, through video conferencing, behind closed doors and reserved the right to put forward the request if and when it was appropriate to do so.

Badawi is pleading not guilty to the rape and illegal arrest of the woman in Floriana on June 29, violently and indecently assaulting her, offending public morals, seriously injuring her and carrying an air pistol without a licence.

Last Wednesday, Dr Montalto told Magistrate Lawrence Quintano that his client wished his case to be heard in open court, except when the victim testified.

During yesterday's sitting the magistrate initially ruled that, unless he ruled otherwise, there was a total ban on the witness' testimony.

But once the victim testified, with the assistance of her lawyer, Joseph Zammit McKeon, and the defence counsel withdrew his request for a public hearing, Magistrate Quintano ruled that the entire proceedings were to be held behind closed doors.

Police Inspectors Louise Calleja and Christopher Pullicino are prosecuting.