UPDATED: Two bus drivers, six taxi drivers remanded in custody

Two bus drivers and six taxi drivers were remanded in custody after being arraigned inc ourt this afternoon.

First to be arraigned were taxi drivers, Johan Cauchi 28 of Qormi and his brother Martin, 33, of San Gwann.

They were accused of having assaulted or resisted Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Sammut and other police officers in an incident at the airport yesterday afternoon.

Johan Cauchi was also accused of having assaulted the driver of a private bus.

They denied the charges.

Magistrate Silvio Meli in denying bail said violence could never be used in any argument or protest.

Also arraigned later this afternoon were bus drivers Johan Spiteri, 28 of Birkirkara and James Grech 25, of Zebbug and taxi drivers Paul Vella 48 from Gharghur and Jason Vella, 35 of Hamrun, Raymond Pace, 49 of St Venera and Paul Borg 21, of Attard.

All except James Grech were accused of involvement in the incidents outside Castille last Monday.

James Grech was accused of having been present when a private van was overturned and the driver assaulted in an incident in St Anne Street, Floriana late on Monday.

All pleaded not guilty.

It is understood that the police have made more arrested. Another four drivers were arraigned and remanded in custory yesterday.