Another five mini-bus drivers arraigned

Five mini-bus drivers were yesterday arraigned in connection with the blocking of traffic in central Marsa and the beating of a private bus driver in Żebbuġ.

They were all remanded in custody.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna heard Vincent Spiteri, 48, of Qormi, Jason Desira, 35, of Żejtun, Aaron Zahra, 27, of Qormi and Shaun Tabone, 25, of Marsa plead not guilty to stopping a bus in Labour Road, Marsa, holding the driver and his foreign passengers against their will, threatening them and forming part of a group of 10 or more people with the intention of committing a crime on Wednesday.

Mr Tabone was also charged with committing an offence during the operative period of a suspended sentence and relapsing.

Mr Desira was also charged with causing damage to a car at Pinto Wharf, in Floriana, holding the driver against his will and assaulting two men shortly afterwards on Monday.

Anthony Zerafa, 48, of Santa Venera pleaded not guilty to causing slight injuries to a bus driver, threatening, assaulting and insulting him in Żebbuġ on Wednesday morning.

Magistrate Apap Bologna took into consideration the fact that police investigations into the incidents are ongoing and so remanded the men in custody.

Since the strike started on Monday, a total of 17 public transport drivers have been arraigned and all were remanded in custody.