Man claims to have witnessed a murder in Brazil

A Brazilian national, who was yesterday charged with importing cocaine on Saturday, asked to speak to the police claiming he had witnessed a murder in his home country, a court heard.

Hiran Araujo, 25, of Curitiba, Brazil pleaded not guilty to conspiring to deal in cocaine, importing it and possessing the drug in circumstances that denoted it was not for his personal use. He was arrested last Saturday on arrival at the airport.

Magistrate Edwina Grima heard Mr Araujo make several requests that included a medical examination because he claimed he had been manhandled at the airport. He also asked to speak to the police because he had been a witness to a murder in Brazil and wanted to give information about the matter.

The magistrate upheld both requests but ordered that he be remanded in custody.

Police Inspectors Johann Fenech and Pierre Grech prosecuted.

Lawyer Anthony Cutajar appeared as legal aid to Mr Araujo.