Man may claim compensation for wrongful detention

A Libyan who was yesterday cleared of drug trafficking charges said he was considering filing a claim for compensation for having spent almost two years in preventive custody when he was innocent.

Masoud Albuweisir, 37, was charged with associating himself with others to import cannabis resin into Malta on June 16, 2004.

The court noted that Mr Albuweisir had arrived in Malta on a flight on which there was a Mr Saad, another Libyan, who was found by the police to have cannabis resin taped to his body.

The police also found black tape, similar to the one used to wrap the drug, on Mr Albuweisir.

The two were arrested and charged separately. Mr Saad had admitted he was carrying the drug but claimed that it belonged to Mr Albuweisir who had asked him to carry it for him telling him it was money.

Later Mr Saad testified he had met Mr Albuweisir at the airport in Benghazi and stayed in his company until they arrived in Malta.

Two prisoners testified that Mr Saad had confided to them that he was very troubled as he had shifted the blame onto Mr Albuweisir when he had nothing to do with it.

Mr Albuweisir testified that he had visited Malta four times and he was trying to record a CD at the Waves studio in Floriana.

In passing judgement the court noted that the prosecution relied heavily on the version given by Mr Saad, who later changed his version after feeling sorry for shifting the blame onto Mr Albuweisir, and this was corroborated by two other witnesses.

Regarding the black tape found on the accused, there was no proof that the tape used to wrap the cannabis resin was identical to the tape found.

The court further noted that Mr Albuweisir explained this was used in making henna tattoos, in which he specialised.

Inspector Nezren Grixti prosecuted.

Joseph Giglio was defence counsel.