Charged with man's attempted rape

A 23-year-old Libyan was charged with attempting to rape a Maltese man.

Anis Khalifa S. Elekkari, from Tripoli and living in St Paul's Bay, was accused of trying to rape the man at about 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

Police Inspector Louise Calleja told the court the accused had seen the Maltese man for the first time and they did not know each other. The Maltese national was sitting on the rocks when he was approached by the Libyan who initially started talking to him and then made sexual advances.

The witness said the Libyan tried to rape the Maltese man, who resisted. The accused did not succeed in his intentions only because of factors independent of his will.

The Libyan was further charged with illegally arresting the Maltese man and holding him against his will and with indecent violent assault. He was also charged with threatening the Maltese man with death and with slightly injuring him.

Lawyer Patrick Valentino was defence counsel.