UPDATE 3: Four transport workers arraigned, remanded in custody

(Adds details on arraignment, decision of the court)

Four transport workers were this afternoon arraigned in court in connection with incidents which took place yesterday. All four were refused bail and remanded in custody at Corradino Prisons.

The first to be accused was Francis Cassar,42 of Cospicua, who was accused of having voluntarily caused damage of over €1,600 on a private coach in Floriana yesterday.

He was also accused of threatened people, forming part of a group of more than 10 intent on committing a crime and violently resisting people in charge of public transport.

He pleaded not guilty.

Arraigned later were Joseph Buttigieg, 48 of Marsa, Carmel Asciak 55 of Swatar and John Attard, 65 of Sta Venera, who were accused of having formed part of a group intent on commiting a crime. All pleaded not guilty.

Police Inspector Michael Mallia told the court that Mr Buttigieg and Mr Attard were part of a group which attacked a mini van and held 10 tourists against their will until the police intervened. He singled out Mr Buttigieg as the instigator of the attack.

Lawyer Chris Cilia said that Mr Asciak was never told that he was arrested and took the keys of the tourist van to police headquarters out of a sense of good will and as an official of the Mini Bus Co-Op.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani remanded all three in custody.

Meanwhile, a large contingent of policemen formed up outside the law courts to block entry to a group of public transport workers who gathered there.

Earlier, the police said they had arrested a number of public transport workers in connection with investigations into incidents which took place yesterday and this morning.

Six were arrested in connection with incidents which included violence on private vehicles and tourist coaches yesterday.

In a statement this afternoon, the police said it was involved in opening access to Valletta after it was closed by striking public transport workers this morning.

The police removed obstacles which had been blocking the roads. A number of persons were arrested for not collaborating.

Three persons were also arrested for stopping vans which were not taking part in the strike action, assaulting drivers and taking away their keys.