Two bus drivers and six taxi drivers were yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges in connection with incidents occurring during the transport strike.

Taxi drivers Johan Cauchi, 28, of Qormi and his brother Martin, 33, of San Ġwann appeared before Magistrate Silvio Meli and charged with resisting Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Sammut and other police officers in an incident at the airport on Tuesday evening.

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

Bus drivers Johann Spiteri, 28, of Birkirkara and James Grech 25, of Żebbuġ and taxi drivers Paul Vella, 48, of Għargħur and Jason Vella, 35, of Ħamrun, Raymond Pace, 49, of Sta Venera and Paul Borg 21, of Attard all pleaded not guilty to forming part of a group of 10 or more people with the intention of committing a crime in front of the Auberge de Castille in Valletta on Monday. They also pleaded not guilty to violently resisting police officers.

Mr Grech was also accused of having formed part of a group that overturned a private van and assaulted the driver in an incident in St Anne Street, Floriana late on Monday.

Lawyers Michael Sciriha and Roberto Montalto appeared for Jason Vella. Lawyer Ian Farrugia appeared for Mr Spiteri, lawyer Frank Cassar appeared for Mr Pace and lawyer Gavin Gulia appeared for Paul Vella and Mr Grech.