Man charged with rape

@Dennis Catania
There are people who confess on advice of attorneys. If it is very probable the person is found guilty, it is wiser to confess and face let's say 5 yrs than face a jury and if guilty 12 yrs.
Unfortunately whether the defendent should just be told he has a right for attorney doesn't hold in any circumstance. If he was not told, or allowed, how are we to know? The police will testify for each other and unanimously declate they had allowed the right.
Thus, no confession without attorney, eradicates the risk that the person was forced, and would also make it impossible for the accused to blame the police he was forced

@ Denis Catania:

"What attorney in the right state of mind will let a client confess" - well, sometimes, depending on the case, it pays for an accused to admit guilt if he/she is really guilty (more lenient sentence, perhaps). Also, the question could be posed in the following way: "What person in the right state of mind (unless in full knowledge of being found guilty and with the possibility of a more lenient sentence) will admit guilt, with or without an attorney?".

Of course, a "right state of mind" excludes being in a state of fear (particularly if the accused is in a foreign country), which is why, I believe, the courts do not take a confession to be enough proof of guilt (by itself) if the accused pleads innocent in court, or if there is some other reason to believe he/she's innocent.

What attorney in the right state of mind will let a client confess. A video would serve better during interrogations. The defendent has the right to have an attorney present, the defendent should be told that.

@Joseph Schembri
I definitely agree with legal representation during interrogation, and no confession is valid when the lawyer wasn't present.
It is a safety valve for potential inncoent people, as well as for the police so that then no one can blame them of forcing a confession

@Kenneth Cassar: In the US we have, what is called a Miranda rights. The police must read your those rights before they question anyone.Should they question anyone without reading those rights. They cannot use those statements in court. Which I agree with those rights. But yes, I do believe that sometimes the police scare a confession out of citizens. But in this case, the victims had to identify(speculating)the gentleman, plus you have the confession. But I believe he is innocent till found guilty.

Spot on Kenneth about admittance of guilt to the police. Hmm how can I say this.....? Only God knows (well perhaps not only God) what happened during his interrogation.

When are we going to put into practice what is already in our laws: ie. legal representation during interrogation by the police? What are you waiting for Dr. Gonzi?

@ Denis Catania:

I'm not saying he's necessarily inncoent, and if he's found guilty, he should pay the price. But you should understand that sometimes people admit guilt to the police out of fear. Whether this fear is rational or irrational, justified or unjustified is another question which I won't go into. Can't we wait until the court sentence before passing judgement?

If admitting guilt to the police was sufficient, a trial would be unnecessary. Is this what you would want?

@Daphne Caruana Galizia;
Quote: However, inspector Ellul argued that the accused had ADMITTED, in a police statement, to the attempted rape of one the woman.
Daphne, come on he admitted this the police. This could easily been you or your sister walking in Ta'Biex and getting attacked and raped, or it could happen to one of my cousins while taking thier kids to our beautiful park in Gzira. Please Daphne use some common sense.

J. Borg: You cannot substantiate that claim because 1) you do not know me personally and 2) you haven't read everything here. That isn't "a technicality regarding the English language". It is a statement of fact.

@ Joseph Schembri

these three men "...have admitted in court...." and they have so been found guilty so much so that they ".......were granted bail pending sentencing next month....." . This si clear cut.

The 21 year old has admitted to the police but not in court and so his case is still pending ie he is still innocent .

These are facts and so I am not uncharitable in quoting facts.

Your reference to the 14 year old ' victims ' and ' children ' (your inverted commas) is uncharitable to say the least ! You go as far as to state that you will not elaborate on these descriptions !

What is also highly uncharitable is your last sentence.......as if you want to implicate something on these minors from Vittoriosa !

@DCG and Corinne Vella:
It is highly entertaining to see that all your arguments are always reduced to technicalities regarding the english language. Commenting about other people's grammar in an attempt to show off your stellar command of the language is getting old now.

Get off your high horse Daphne. You have no right to call people fools for expressing their opinions which *shock/horror* differ from your own.

@ Joseph Schembri: Are you saying that the Times is uncharitable in revealing the name of the accused in this report? After all, unlike the case Mr Battistino mentions, the accused did not admit guilt.

You should also note that the victims are not named because they are minors.

@Victor Battistino: How charitable of you to rename the presumed innocent. I wonder whether you'd have done the same if one of the young men was your son. Note that the so called 'victims' are not named. And before you say anything go take a walk along Vittoriosa and look at the 14 year old 'children' there. I will not elaborate.

"Three admit indecent acts

Three young men this morning admitted in court to having committed sexual acts with three 14-year-old girls in Vittoriosa on August 17.

Andy Brincat, 20, and Nick Brincat, 18, of Vittoriosa and Melvyn Rapinett, 19 of Cospicua, were granted bail pending sentencing next month."


This is a news which came in some hours back. The accused are definately not sons of immigrants or immigrants themselves........and the acts supposedly did not happen anywhere an immigrants' centre.........but let's also wait for the court verdict, although they have already admitted to court.

Guys this is all about upbringing, irrespective of colour, religion, politics gender etc etc......and it is not limited to lower classes only.....the strenght of the pen in certain bloggers is also worrying !

@Charles Sammut.

Just watched those videos regarding Sweden you refer to. They made my blood curdle. They are terrifying but this is Malta's future I believe. Just look at the mess that was once Great Britain. I'll admit, I am scared. What is the hidden agenda we are not being told about?

The people running our countries are supposedly intelligent so what do they know that we don't?

Somebody in power, please answer. Someone knows!!

@ Moses Mula
I am afraid I cannot take your assurance that "Sweden does not have a problem with the muslims" seriously. A simple Google search for "Sweden muslims" proves otherwise. In fact it proves shocking. Even I was not aware of how much the situation in Sweden has deteriorated lately. Of course you are free to go on living with that bucket over your head.

And when you come up "with a word big enough for" me, go, post it here. It must be

The EU believe in Human rights, Praise be to God. so why dont the powers that be in Brussels allow these people ( I won't call them Africans migrants assylium seekers or Illegal imigrants) to travel freely in Europe, after all they have done thier detention here in Malta a fully flegded member of the EU.If they are free to roam about on our Island and our island is a full member of the EU they should be allowed to roam freely in Paris,London, Brussels and all citys and states withen the EU.then these people would have thier wish come true, and thier rights as Humans upheld.One other thing I would like to ask, once these people are on the seas, and they do not ask for help isn't it piracy to make them board a patrol boat and taken to some place that they don't want to go to?Before you start screaming I do not mean those in distress, they should be saved yes saved and brought ashore, then repatriated immediately they are in good health.

I wasn't aware that Daphne Caruana Galizia did impressions; her Mr T aka B.A. Baraccas is funny.

On a serious note however, is she not aware that all the cases she mentioned in her diatribe met with the same indignation and contempt that is being expressed for this alleged offender?

I don't believe that any of the culprits she wrote about went to a foreign land begging for, and accepted hospitality, and then perpetrated their crimes.

@Victor Battistino
If I recall well Victor only recently you came to live in Bugia (you hail from Tarxien right !) I who was born and brought up here can tell the difference from the present and the past. The teenagers you mention were always there even in our times of growing up lets not play the saints now I am sure you did your share of eyeing up :) but the illegal immigrants were not ! Do you know that my son has had to catch the 6.30am bus to go to MCAST for 3 yrs to start school at 8.00am as if he took a later bus he would be left stranded due to the flooding of the illegal immigrants. If he missed the bus and arrived late his stipendium would be deducted whilst the immigrants pocket money remains untouched...... Sorry I am fed up of this situation and would urge all political parties to have the guts and seriously do something about.

I do not understand why we have to accept these illegal immigrants who entered the country illegally. Their countries are rich and other countries that were colonies once have moved froward. The USA, Australia and Malasia were colonies once and they did not receive aid or have their debts forgiven and yet they have advanced. Colonialism is an excuse even Malta was a colony and with no resources and hard work we have moved forward. Since I was a child at school all I can remember is always being asked to give cans of food, my pocket money and each time I left some thing in my plate to think of Africa. When will they be free and stop depending on others to bail them out each time?

@ Victor Battistino

Ok granted, let's wait for the outcome of the hearing

@Marisa Darmanin
Yes you are right, it would be a real sight to see my face if my daughter brings along an african boyfriend :) I would be awfully worried! BUT, it won't be because he's black. I'd worry about the cultural difference, I'd worry about his attitudes towards women, I'd worry about problems they will face.

I totally sympathise with your daughter's concerns when on the bus. But one has to see how much of the problem is real or percieved. People living in certain conditions of poverty, ignorance and violence such as africa migh be more likely of commiting certain crimes. But while we cannot recognise easily people coming from certain areas of degredation in Malta, we can easily recognise an african! So your daughter might be on a bus with many decent, hard working africans who would never harm her, but still feel afraid. The police must be present in areas of high crime rates to protect our children, from black or white criminals. Many of the africans on the bus are escaping from rape, torture or death. The things you and I are scared of!! The situation is difficult with no easy answers.

@Marisa Darmanin I sympathise with your situation and this is precisely why I too am so very concerned about this huge problem. It is not right that our country is full of these illegals, intimidating our children by having them roaming the streets. It has nothing to do with being racist and everything to do with the fact that they break the law to get into Europe. They way things are going, we might as well scrap border controls and just declare that if you come in a boat, you don't really need a passport. Everybody else, however, has to produce a passport to be allowed into the country.This is the reality of what is happening right now.

@ I M Dingli

Is it the first time that statements given to the police are changed (and accepted) during court hearings. I reattirate that a crime is always a crime, but let us let the court decide first and then comment later.........

@Marisa Darmanin I share your worries cause I live in B'buga and have a twelve year old girl whom I have to taxi around......I would do the same anywhere in Malta 'cause trouble can happen anywhere....just look at the beaches with the local young (teenagers) males vieing for the best prey ! Our society has changed negatively in such aspects, I'm sorry to say ! and this through no fault of any immigrant, but through lack of a sound family upbringing.

But this issue is different. I repeat that I will comment only after the court decision.

Ivan Magro Dingli: Refer to my earlier comment.

@ I.M.Dingli, yes, African countries are entitled to funds because it was countries like France an England who colonized these countries, and when they could not afford to keep them colonized, they left these countries to be ruled by the most ruthless dictators, sometimes even given the power by these same countries. But apart from that,one cannot leave a huge part of a whole continent suffer so as economically and politically strong as the E.U. is, it should and it does help, accept Berlusconi i.e.
@Charles Sammu I can assure you that Sweden does not have a problem with the muslims, but some people try their best to make you believe that it is so. About the E.U. what Imeant is that Sweden pays far more than it gets, unlike Malta but that is fair enough. And no I will not call you names, as the search for a big enough word for you is still going on

@Marisa Darmanin
I have the greatest sympathy with you and fully understand your situation.In the U.K I lived adjacent to a no go area.I was afraid to venture out in daylight hours,never mind in the hours of darkness.
It was that bad even the police were afraid to venture in.No prizes for guessing who lived there. Yes your right our Colonial friends,dealing drugs.prostitution,and what ever took their fancy,knowing full well they could get away with anything.
To you do gooders,human rights fanatics out there.Put your money where your mouth is. Take a walk through Marsa,past Hal Far around eleven o clock at night,go on I dare you...

@ CorinneVella

I must have struck you attention my dear since you went completely out of subject, namely; 'Man charged with rape' ; in order to redicule me. Is that a form of lateral thinking from your part? Dhaaaaa

@ Victor Battistino

But within the article above, the accused had admitted in a police statement to the attempted rape of one of the women. So in your opinion because he didn't actually rape her, its as if nothing has happened?

xe·no·phobe
Pronunciation: \ˈze-nə-ˌfōb, ˈzē-\
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary
Date: 1922
: one unduly fearful of what is foreign and especially of people of foreign origin
— xe·no·pho·bic \ˌze-nə-ˈfō-bik, ˌzē-\ adjective
— xe·no·pho·bi·cal·ly \-bi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xenophobe

@ Andrew Cassar

Stop involving religion in your comments. Being Christian or Catholics has nothing to do with it. Georgia and Russia are both 'christian' and they are still fighting. So trying to invoke other commentators' religious beliefs does not work. In fact most maltese are probably by now non-practicing catholics - just look at church attendancy - if that is anything to judge religion with.

I think one should make a distinction between safeguarding the Christian/Catholic tradition and the Christian/ Catholic religion. You can be the best the best catholic even in North Korea or Saudi

@ALL ,
I wonder how many of you bloggers live in Birzebbugia and really understand what problems actually exist in Birzebbugia. I also wonder how all you so called Christians and anti racists will react when your son or daughter brings on your doorstep one of these illegal immigrants and presents him/her as their new boy/girlfriend. OOHHH how I love to see your faces than.
By the way yes I do actually live in Birzebbugia and I have a 14yr old girl who hesitates whenever she goes on the bus and all she sees is illegal immigrants on it. Or else I have to meet her on her way up home at night from Pretty Bay. Now don’t come back telling me my daughter shouldn’t be on the bus or cant go out at night either. First try to get on a bus no.11 12 or 13 and than remember how safe Malta was prior to these arrivals than come back and
write down your comments here. For all of you who are 'defending' this outrageous and out of hand problem unless you have first hand experience of the situation please do keep quite or else swap places with me.

@ James Sultana......you will easily solve your queries by finding time and patience and get a friendly conversation going with any one of them.......do you think they want to live in a tent with no privacy ? Don't you think that as normal human beings, there could be the unruly ones who might constantly cause trouble and make this living in a tent hell ? Don't you think that island Malta is too small and limited for them when compared to inland Europe ? The fact that they phone friends based in Malta does not mean that their final destination is Malta.

In any case, this article has nothing to do with illegal immigrants but with a man who is still presumed innocent until proven guilty ! Or our society has decided to invert this and a person is presumed guilty unless proven innocent ? And this (God forbid) could be you or me in a foreign country whist on holiday !

It worries me and saddens me when I see so many people take the advantage to interpret or to come to a conclusion from a particular incident. Referring to DCG's comments which are valid, one cannot use this illegal immigrant as a case in point. It is true that everyone is worried and there is a growing concern about our future with these people, who come here some of them with a divine right borne in their heads. One cannot generalise and every case is different. I believe that everyone is now perturbed. What one should be frightened of is that some people lack the basics of human sciences and whoever he or she is be illegal or citizen , should respect the country and its customs laws and its very people. Joining the EU meant that we are co operating and increasing our opportunities not our purity and racial status. Any person of any country who does not live in accordance with human dignity does not deserve the right to be called human. Racial arrows should be avoided and pointed more at ignorance coming from any country.

@ Moses Mula

So according to you is this is also biased and staged.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KzLECtFT4aU
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uxsfZm0YDk0&NR=1

A senior Swedish police chief has retired to Malta and not just for the nice climate. He is traumatised by the situation in Sweden.

Malmo was a peaceful city before it was over-run by immigrants. It is only natural that Swedes are reacting this this invasion. That does not make the Swedes criminals, they are patriots defending their culture and country.

As for EU funds, I doubt that Malta is a net receiver of funds.

Racist, anti-Christain, bigot, xenophobe, fascist, nazi and all the other choice epithets leftist liberal losers care to foist on me are like water on a duck's back so spare yourself the effort.

@ Victor Battistino : " I do not approve of them staying here in Malta for too long especially since Malta was not their destination. "

So, can you tell us what makes you so sure that Malta WAS NOT THEIR DESTINATION ?? Do you have any contacts or specific information which could be of help to the investigators ?

Have you ever heard about those immigrants who phoned with a satellite phone to their "friends" at Marsa who in turn informed the authorities of the "stranded boat" ?

Given the latest stand taken by Italian authorities I doubt that they would rather get there instead of landing in Malta !! Here they are very rarely sent back and they stand a good chance of getting free accommodation at Marsa !

Are we to believe that those who get here on their steam and enter Xlendi, Zurrieq, Hal Far and Fomm ir-Rih all hit our shores by chance and with no navigation equipment at all FROM LIBYA ? Or that they got here because they blindly aimed at Italy, got lost and by chance reached our unguarded shores ??

@Andrew Cassar
please refer to Mario Nicchia's comment further down.
Ps since you refer to us as "out there" I presume that you are one of those who chose to go and live/work abroad ( using legal documents) and have developed into an armchair critic of your fellow countrymen.
If you want to help them" down south" I suggest that you go down south and not up north and leave us in the centre make up out own minds about what we want and do not want!
As for rape....Nobody in his right senses condones it!

Moses Mula

The subject within my comment was about the E.U. funds for E.U. member countries.... that is why i told you that African countries are not entitled for a share from this pie. Why do you always have to revert to the typical comment of racism etc.

Ivan Magro Dingli: Of course I can, but why would I bother to do so in your regard? You flatter yourself in believing that everyone here is interested in your petty battle with someone you don't know from Adam.

Incidentally, I'm impressed that you think needing a dictionary means one lacks intelligence. To me ,it means one lacks a dictionary.

@ K Xuereb, should these coutries leave the E.U.? Do you know the history behind the E.U.? Germany and France where 2 of the countries who started it.
@ Charles Sammut, no the system is not collapsing at all. Because you read on article does not mean that you know exactly what is happening here. Malmö has had problems with crime, both from swedes and immigrants, but so has other parts of Sweden when muslim communities are far smaller. The article is biased, he even refers to an article in aftonbladet, which is a gossip tabloid . But yes there are immigrants who have even been living here for years that are angry at Sweden because sometimes they do find it difficult to find a job because of their surname.
@ I.M.Dingli, how can you say such a horrible thing that African countries do not deserve a piece of the cake? Last time I checked, black, white, christian, muslim, we are all humans. Or maybe you were thought that africans are lesser beings? The most fundamentalist christian country, and the most racist, coincidence?

Can't help noticing a bunch of "christian" souls out there....all scared stiff of the black "savages" invading our country and raping our women!!!!

Rape is wrong....commited by maltese, somali, congalese or whoever! These crimes tend to be commited by the poor and marginalised in every society. But the uproar to any crime commited by any foreigner of african descent is pure hysteria. When there were cases of abuse commited on children by priests there was a sense of disgust....but none of my "christian" friends here were proposing locking all the priests up, demolishing churches or sending all priests back to the vatican!!!

We maltese were lucky enough never to have been in a position similar africa's. If we were in such a position....we would definitely "illegally" get a boat to Italy. If you are a refugee, you don't have papers. No one from Darfur would be so crazy as to ask the Sudanese for papers before leaving to Europe!

I'm proud to be Maltese, helping our unfortunate brothers down south despite the huge problem this is causing us. Despite all this, ANY rapist deserves a very severe punishment, black or white!!!!

@ oUR Daphne Caruana Galizia

Being a streetwalker doesnt give anyonethe right to rape.
So dont judge others Daphne just because they are from tax xbiex or gzira.

Typical DCG comments....

I wonder how you are still surprised. So 50% of the Maltese are foolish being labor sympathizers, the rest who comment a rape are foolish too...Leaves only her one step high on the rest of you.

Try to come in Italy and look for yourself how prophetic Ms. Galizia is… Everyday our roads are terrorized by immigrants. You cant walk the street after 8pm, women are terrorized to go inside car parks and reports of rapes keep popping daily on our news (You watch Italian TV by yourself) The train stations are frightening and the cities are hell.

Daphne, if you have the guts, come and see by yourself what people you defend are able to do to your country. Experience the despair of seeing your beautiful country being ruined by persons who your country welcomes and then they pretend to turn it to look like theirs. Experience this before talking s***, like you regularly do.

@ Corinne Vella

Hehehe..... You were the one who started those comments such as ‘you might wish to buy yourself a dictionary’ in relation to one’s intelligence so please don’t start blaming me for your arrogance.

I think before I write comments… do you? I respect a person who has a different opinion than me …. do you? I try to discuss with a person whose opinion doesn’t match with mine….. do you? I don’t try to picture myself to others as being an infallible, perfect person ….. do you? I can go on and on Ms. Vella and mention various other points ….. can you?

Ivan Magro Dingli: You raised the matter of intelligence, not I. Of course I can have a decent conversation. I do - and very often. Do you?

I simply can not understand what all this hassle is all about! Yes this is a question of rape and rape is a crime whoever commits it! He should be punished whoever he is (even if in this case we don't have any identity). On the other hand he is an illegal immigrant and as such he is already infringing our laws!

Moreover I wouldn't say that the comments below are racist simply people are concerned with the influx of illegal immigrants into our country and no one can blame us for not being happy! Whoever is pro-illegal immigrants to come over and use our resource than go ahead keep them in your home!!

@ Mr. Mula

I believe your last comment regards the money coming from Sweden, Germany and France etc is completely out of point since those countries are members of the European Union as you know. Malta being a member is entitled for those funds.

I think that African countries are not entitled for a share from this pie!!

@ Moses Mula

Dear Moses have you been living in Sweden with a bucket over your head?

http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/938

The Swedish system is collapsing under the immigrant onslaught.

@Moses Mula. Your comparison does not hold water, all the countries you had mention could have easily barred ours and other countries' entry into the EU. Or, if they're tired of funding the needs of others, opt out and leave.

Malta has no such options. We're bearing to brunt of a situation that's not of our own making and our good neighbour down south is exploiting our position as a state with a humane and civilised body of laws. But there is only so much that our country can take and that breaking point is fast approaching, if not passed already.

Having read through the numerous earlier comments, my brain tingles with;

1- No this is not the first such case. There have been countless others which have gone unreported for the victim's fear of social stigma!

2- No this is not the first act of violence but rather the last of a series of other henious crimes which go unreported in the local media for fear of xenophobic tendencies!

3- Crime is crime irrespective of the perpetrator and no justifications should be pulled up to explain or excuse what remains plain and simply CRIME!

4. We in Malta have people who are holier than the holy spirit!

5. It is a fact still that sexual violence has always met with the greatest public scorn, irrespective of the nationality of the perpetrator. In Malta sexual violence is taboo, period. Factually, in some cultures, due to social unrest, cultural acceptances or whatever, rape and sexual molestations are a way of daily life. Fact remains that whilst in some countries, there is an understanding that rapes are bound to occur, in Malta we simply consider it taboo and such crimes have always been minimal. Do the endless African immigrants have the same perspective?

A good acquaintance of mine happens to know one of the women was was raped, the one to which Mr Trabulé admitted raping.

She is definately not a "streetwalker" although there is someone who has suggested that all women working in Ta' Xbiex must be "streetwalkers". Except herself of course, not cut for that job.

Well well well Mr I M Beck, remember an article you wrote in the Times a while ago. Poor white girls in the UK are afraid to venture out in the hours of darkness ,in fear of being raped by immigrants.
You said what a load of twadle,punctuated with your usual,dirty little racists crawling out from under thier stones remarks.
Well Mr I M Beck, how long before poor little Maltese girls are afraid to venture out?
Wake up Malta,the writing is on the wall.

@ John Azzopardi Nothing to do with racism? Have you really read most of these comments in this and other various blogs? A threat to our society? Oh yes, I forgot that most of the Maltese want to be the only country free from black people, muslims and other cultures, of course besides europeans and maybe americans. I know that rape is one of the most common " weapon " used in these war ravaged countries. I study international conflicts at the university of Uppsala here in Sweden so I know well enough what is going on in these countries. Sending money is not even close to a solution to these people`s problems as the money will end up in the wrong hands, i.e to buy weapons. Speaking about taxes, did you know that countries like Sweden, Germany and France are the ones funding all the money that Malta gets from the E.U. as they pay more to the E.U. than they actually get? What if a swede would tell you that he does not want to pay taxes to fund Malta`s and other countries needs? Would that be racist?

Corinne Vella

Your last response shows the level of maturity you have attained over the years and I must say, you have a long way to go. When you have no other aces up your sleeve you always fall back in retreat and start insulting with comments about one’s intelligence amongst other various insults. Have I ever insulted you? Do you call that maturity by any chance? I thought you had more brains than your sister but you have proved me wrong, that one I will surely grant it!!

Come on now…. Give it your best shot and call me names or better try patronising me to make me feel uncomfortable. Can’t you have a decent conversation or what.

So she's a detective now...Having a bad day? not really...but well, thats what Malta's own crusading Sherlock has deduced...What can I say?

Spitting with anger...well...as long as you're in a jubilant mood that doesn't really matter does it....

As to the earlier comments and questions...Still haven't found an answer? Thought not.....

But as long as your stands are purely altruistic, I don't think that really matters now does it....

@Moses Mula ....You are a naive man. This has nothing to do with racism. In 6 years, Malta gained over 10000 illegal immigrants (2200 this year alone). That is a serious threat to our society. And why should the Maltese taxpaper keep supporting these people. I rather help the helpless woman and children in Africa. I recently saw a document on how African men rape women in many parts of Africa. This is what you should be speaking about. Again, I would love to have us send the money we are spending on these illegals who we never asked for and they are coming from Libya not Somalia, Sudan, Ivory Coast or whatever.

I fully agree with Charles J Buttigieg. The Australians did it right.

@ Edwin Mifsud:
How can you expect a concrete answer to a "what if" question? Ask me a concrete question first not some hypothetical nonsense..
Erm... I take it that Powel is a figure of speech referring to Enoch Powell? The guy who was kicked out of the British cabinet for opposing anti-discrimination (not anti immigration pls note) laws and spent the last few years of his life trying to prove that Jesus Christ was stoned to death and not crucified? The guy who said that the CIA killed Mountbatten? That the one? Yep he's a gem!

Thank you Daphne for your re-confirmation of your civil standards (remember sonny at university?). Calling yourself an African-hugger will not get you anywhere near sainthood either without proof of actions. So everyone is a fool except beautiful you (sob). Apart from the seriousness of the matter in question - you tend to show up irregularly to trump your support to Illegal aliens while infallibly rubbishing and spitting venomous insults at the maltese. I wonder how The Times tolerate your tantrums as they have been known to take objection to writing of your ilk.
Please note that I am trying to be as polite as possible in addressing you (lest I be banned again) but people of your tendencies (vide ABC of elf and worm fame) tend to elope together - even in their ignorant bliss of the dark clouds gathering.

@ Edwin Mifsud
Why thank you so much for simplifying it so that I can understand you! I appreciate it so much that you would actually come down to my level and specify that when you said Bin Laden you did not actually mean Bin Laden! Which begs the question of course...
Still ...there are much easier ways for terrorists to get to Europe than via Malta and risking being incarcerated...
Oh and by the way what or who is DFG? Another figure of speech? Or possibly you meant CIA? KGB? MI5? Or maybe its DCG?
One more thing; you called yourself a xenophobic, you probably meant xenophobe but never mind that... what I want to know is that since you used the word in reference to yourself and I never did can I please start to use it to refer to you?

hi there ladies and gents and genius. I could not help but contribute to this blog by first reminding you that we as a nation are threatened by this flux and should unite in peace and order respect and full legal observation and let our voice be heard. I am willing to give my part of the time for this patriotic venture. Mumin Trabule should be asked what would happen to him if he committed the same type of alleged acts in his country ! We are only assuming one crime as he confessed to one, to the police the other 2 might not have been raped but only 2 girls whom decided to accuse this poor individual of assault and rape . Maybe to gain popularity and be known to have achieved that status. It so nice to be ignorant about matters that surround us! What did lady einstein name all of us fools ! Lol i guess i would be if i gave any weight whatsoever to your comments. We should let our Prime minister know that we support his decisions on these matters but we must remind him to please act fast,because the clock is ticking.

Guys

this is a man who allegedly "..attempting to rape two women...." is this guy a superman ???

and "...raping a third between March and this month...." wow, we're in end of August !!! That's quite a long time during which this one rape could have taken place. I would presume all this happened after sunset. Anyway at this stage he is 'still' being accused of these crimes.....

I commend our Police Force for its law enforcing efforts. I condemn any crime, irrespective of the perpetrator and the circumstances. I have respect for the victims. I pass twice a day next to Tent village and I can assure you that there are new borns, toddlers, kids, mums and dads as well as young frustrated human beings in these TENTS (summer and winter) when we are all cosy at home. I do not approve of them staying here in Malta for too long especially since Malta was not their destination.

But let's hear the end of this story before we jump to conclusions without full knowledge of all details ! I am learning a lot about us Maltese from these blogs !

Ivan Magro Dingli: That's not a particularly intelligent observation you've made. I've no doubt, though, that you feel very clever at having made it. You've nothing to gain by arguing with your inferiors. Why not shift your attention to someone more intelligent than I?

Jeremy J Camilleri: I'm sorry to hear that you're having a bad day. Maybe that's why you sound like you're spitting with anger when you react to what other people say - or don't say.

Daphne gave us a vast overview of crimes commited by the Maltese. Crimes are crimes from whatever they come. So you see, you are certifying that we have a problem and surely it would not be wise to compound it especially by unknown or foreign persons, whoever they may be. Whatever you say the sooner you come to grips with reality and admit that the situation is untenable, the better it would be. No one can provide valid reasons for justifying or defending what is happening in Malta. Malta is small island, already over populated and thus cannot afford the luxury of having who knows how many thousands of these people. This is not something like feeding, accomodating and caring for say a 1000 of these people as there are tens of thousands are there preparing to come over.

I do not agree with your idea of shutting up as this is the easyest way out. People like you should know better and could help by giving honest, feasible solutions. There is much at risk for everybody and those who do not realize this will definitely regret it in the near future. That's why we have leaders, to lead us.

@ malcolm tortell

My reference to Bin Ladin was just a figure of speech.

Let me put it simpler for you so that you may understand.

What if terrorists disguised as refugees were to join the next trip to Malta?

How would we detect them?

Should Malta begin to be used as a springboard by terrorists to reach Europe who are we to question and who will take responsability?

You, DFG or ...... who?

IF we start having maymem on the island can you tell me who will assume resposability?

Please give us xenophobics a concrete answer. (Remember Powel was right!)

The point is not whether the rapist is black or white but that we, as a country, are being forced, to accept people without an identity who might be criminals. How would we know whether he has a history of rape or other charges in his country? These are hard issue that our country has to face.

DLG start thinking about this instead of calling people fools. I don't think you'll be talking in this manner if the woman assualted was someone you know. Asylum seekers are a problem to the country no matter what you say and no matter how much you glorify them.

Jeremy.... that's her normal tactic.... we all know by now that it is part of her repertoire......

it seems like Corinne Vella is having problems understanding a host of comments...I wonder why..?

Well, even crusaders have bad days I suppose...

Corinne: its ok, I know your intelligence has its own limits.

Ivan Magro Dingli: I'm not sure I've understood what you're on about. Do you?

Among the usual cliched mitigating circumstances which will be dredged up is such cases, one will invariably be the cherry on the cake.

He has no previous criminal record.

Jeremy J Camilleri: What crusade?

@ Ms. Corinne Vella

I took note of your advice, I believe you want to help me in writing in proper English language before I hit the submit button. If it’s ok for you I’ll send a draft to you before submitting my comments so that you can circle in red all the mistakes!!

But at least I get my message through with straight forward answers and opinions whilst you just focus in diverting the subject and trying to ridicule all the people who do not agree with your opinion…. But wait a second, we don’t know what is your opinion since you never gave one. You never came up with solutions albeit you are always against anybody else’s comments.

Ms. Vella, please do not send my grades to my mummy because she might spank me ;(

Dear Corinne, if you want me to waste my time explaining English phrases, well, you've got the wrong person.

However, I must admit that your tactic in evading certain questions and comments is noteworthy.

You deserve a medal, and not only for your tireless crusade in the name of illegals, but also for the manner in which you tried to slip out of that one.

let us not categorise race and creeds. but the act itself should be condemend whoever is the culprit should be responisble for his/her actions. this is sheer violence.

let us not come into illegal immigrants discussions - that is another issue that the authorities should tackle as it is also another simmering pot.

but on this issue let us keep out dark/light or whatever skin one might bear..

I AM IN SHOCK!!! The article is about a man who is accused of a crime - Right? I have actually read through all the comments below and am shocked at the Maltese attitude. IF he did commit the crime he deserves to be punished. We live in a democratic society with laws. I completely agree with DCG, below are comments that are shocking to say the least.

The question is not whether is is an illegal immigrant or not, the crime is that of rape, the other crime is illegal immigration. Fr the second he spent 18months in the detention, for the first if he is found guilty will spend time locked up too.

Maltese crime does exist too you know, it is just easier to rant about this because it is a foreigner.

Jeremy J Camilleri: What sort of book is it that you call your own? It clearly isn't one I've read.

Ivan Magro Dingli: There's no need to apologise. You haven't hurt my feelings. However, you might wish to buy yourself a dictionary.

Oh dear Daphne! We understand your point learned one, but it makes no difference. I won't tangle with you over the refugee issue, as you seem to be right and everyone else wrong. Hopefully, we will both be around in 10 to 15 years time, then convince me lady. As for your remark regarding the probability that the guy couldn't afford the streetwalkers price, hence he raped them anyway, don't the streetwalkers have rights too? Don't they fit into the categories you defend through thick and thin? They don't pay taxes.. just like the refugees, they do work that nobody else wants to do... just like the refugees.. nobody wants them on their doorstep.. just like refugees.. they solicit, without invitation.. just like refugees.. So in your eyes, they have no rights.. so we can all rape them, because were skint and can't afford.. Just like the nigerian guy who smuggled in 20 capsules of heroin.. he was broke, miskin and has to earn a living.. And no Daphne, a Maltese person (or any nationality) who does the same is the same in my mind..a criminal.

I wonder how many of these contributions are coming from people who have actually MET one of these illegal immigrants/refugees.

I had to share a room with a refugee when I was at the old hospital, which more or less helped me understand their plight more. But then, since my childhood I have had exposure to foreigners of all colours and shapes, so xenophobia is not in my blood...

Notwithstanding, if this person has committed a crime, I sure hope that the law takes care of that with a a just verdict, albeit I do not have much trust in the law myself...

There have been views of every kind here - and I cannot really fault anyone for their opinion, for which they have a right. None of the contributors are fools and since they live in Malta and could somehow be affected by this influx of foreigners, they should not shut up. Those who find these blogs so revolting or repellent, should simply direct their reading elsewhere.

Or is this another paradigm of democracy - speak only as long as you agree with me and you don't step on anyone's foot that I would not step on?

@Joseph Calleja: if I had a daughter, which I don't, I doubt very much that she be a streetwalker in Ta' Xbiex.

@Emilio Calleja: so what do they consider you to be in London, then - white? Or just another bloody foreigner? No prizes for guessing.

@M Schembri: I'm patronising and rude? Just look at the comments below for some fine examples of shockingly patronising (towards all those who are different) and abysmally rude attitudes. The trouble with so many of the people posting comments here is not such their sheer and utter ignorance, but their coarseness and their inability to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, except in Africans, of course.

The most obvious explanation is the one most likely to be true: no need to hazard a wild guess as to what these three women in Ta' Xbiex really were. Maybe he thought they were making a pass at him, couldn't believe his luck, and then couldn't pay. I work in the area (not as a streetwalker, I hasten to add) and so I am not going to take this report at face value. After all, I drive past 'women from Ta' Xbiex' several times a day.

Dear Ms. Corinne Vella

I am so sorry to have hurt your feelings. This blog is about a rapist but you have to focus your energy on a detail of so little importance only because I made a two word comment!! You are utterly unbelievable and I keep on sustaining that comment.

For your information, my full name is Ivan Magro Dingli and I pass comments on these blogs using I. M. Dingli just for the convenience of not writing each time my full name. I have no reason to hide my identity or name since I’m just putting forward my opinion.

For once I have to share DCGs comment, that is, that you are a fool.

I hope the editor will display this comment since I have a lot of comments which are censored.

@Daphne Caruana Galizia

We all heard about the cases you mentioned, at least I did...err why should we shut up? isn't like shutting up condoning these crimes? I think you were just tired & just made a statement...not usual for you not to elaborate further with whatever logic you call in.

@ Daphne Caruana Galizia

I have always admired your outspoken articles but now I have an alternative opinion about you. To call other readers fools just becuase they think otherwise than you think makes me sick.

Professionely one does not expect that kind of language from you to call other readers such ajectives

Dear Vella(avoided your first name since first name terms obviously bother you)

I'm not on a crusade regarding Africans, or any other foreigners,except of course those who start life in Malta by breaking the laws of the country from the moment they set foot here.

What strikes me as odd is that you tell me that crime is the problem, and yet, these people, just like the blonde Eastern Europeans who stay here once their visa expires(just in case you were planning to use the rascist card), are entering our country illegally.
Now, in my book, you're either against crime or for it, and in case you mention it, I know the different between refugees and ILLEGAL immigrants..

In Malta, if a Maltese citizen has a criminal record, he might even get impeded from obtaining a job, as his record would follow him around. In the case of the illegals, we do not know if they have a record, since they conveniently lost their passports.....Two weights two measures?, Reverse Racism?

Yes, the truth is that we are faced with an influx of potential criminals...Potential criminals that for reasons only known to yourself, you do your best to defend.

The comments here reflect the racist thinking present among some Maltese. Can someone come up with any statistic showing that there is a higher criminal rate among migrants in Malta? Surely not.

There is also a lot of discourse about how ‘unsafe’ Marsa and Hal Far have become. Someone even asked if anyone would let his/her daughter walking at Marsa after 21 00. Well I would ask: would someone have let his daughter walking in Albert Town (where there is the open center) after 21 00 even before 2005, when there was not even one immigrant living there? Surely not. However even the Maltese who emigrated to the USA, Canada and Australia had to face this style of thinking. Like other migrant groups in these countries Maltese were seen as the ‘uncivilised’ who where ‘filthy’, ‘full of disease’ and with a tendency to ‘rape’.

I, together with my girlfriend go to Marsa and Hal Far frequently and I must say that not for a minute I ever felt threatened. But from these comments we can see the tendency of wanting to blame probems we face on particular groups, be it the African immigrants, single mothers or the shipyard workers.

E Aquilina: I see you're genuinely concerned but your reaction only proves my point that fear skews one's vision. Having been a teenage girl I know that danger and no-go areas are not a recent invention.

I do not provide 'continued support of a situation', as you say. That's a rather serious accusation, but I'll put it down to a poor grasp of logic. My take on the matter is that this is a problem without an immediate solution and so it has to be coped with for as long as it lasts. Panic mongering will not solve any problems.

@DCG

Dear Daphne, Malta should be so proud of you! You are the only being in Malta who is so wise, intelligent, beautiful, infallible a nd perfect! We are all fools! You are the odd one out!

Dear Ms Caruana Galizia,

First of all stop being so patronising and so rude just because other people have a different opinion from your own. There is no need to call anybody a fool and tell them to shut up, we are just trying to have an adult mature conversation, so no need for name calling.

Second I repeat what I said before, yes people in Malta do commit crimes, like everywhere else in the world for that matter, but this man has been in Malta for 2 years, has no identification as has been living off tax payer's money for all this time - the Maltese people have been generous with him, and offered him shelter, and how does he repay us, by rape? And don't come talking about the innocent until proven guilty as he already confessed to one of the rapes.

To all the "holier than thou" correspondents of this newspaper; are you satisfied with the way your taxes are being spent? Supporting people such as this? I'm sure you're still thinking "jahasra" u "msieken" of all the illegal boat people ux? Prosit ghalikom!!!!

The barrage of racist comment after one incident involving a black person is to be expected. Everyone is equal under the law. If found guilty, he will face the consequences according to our laws. End of story.

I am in no way racist and some of the comments below are unbelievable. However i do believe that if we do have a serial rapist whether local or of foreign nationality he should be denied bail until he is proven innocent and/or guilty whichever the case may be.

@ Daphne Caruana Galizia: What is it with you and weird acts, sexual or otherwise, that get reported in the media? Do you keep a little scrapbook with newspaper clippings in it or do you pin them to your bedroom wall? (OK I admit that last idea is not original. I saw it in some horror film). But joking apart it's uncanny how you remember them all!

@Amanda Mallia: Exactly my sentiments. Curious about them all being from Ta Xbiex. Meanwhile I don't see why you have to say that you're not trying to defend the man. What is wrong in defending someone who is presumed innocent?

at least for once I have to agree with what this j-i-d-box Jeremy has to say. I fully agree with him. And it is useless to enter this fray ... my views are well known and all these views are not seen by the authorities. So it's just spitting for nothing.

E Aquilina: I can see you feel genuine concern, but your comment only proves my point - fear can skew one's vision. There have always been vulnerable situations for young teenage girls. I know because I was one myself.

I do not 'support' the situation you describe. My take on the matter is that this is a problem with no immediate solution and so it has to be coped with for as long as it lasts. I am not taking any decisions on the matter, nor do I gain anything from immigration, much less do I organise it, so it is useless to be angry at what I think and say.

Jeremy J Camilleri: My comment is not 'a crusade in favour of Africans'. Perhaps you read it that way because you feel you're on some sort of crusade yourself. Really, if crime is what bothers you most, then perhaps that's the direction in which you should turn your guns. Streets are not safe when they are cleared of African people. They are safe when they are cleared of crime.

I.M. DIngli: If you presume to address a person by her first name even when you do not know her, you could at least have the good manners to state your own first. Then again, perhaps that is too much to expect of someone who feels the need to declare that he is 'against rape'.

@ daphne caruana galizia
To call everybody fools! except youself is .........
Yes of course these Maltese men committed these atrocious acts but this does not justify anbody who is not Maltese, illegal immigrant or not, raping anybody, which ever part of Malta they come from.

@ C Mangion/ Kerryfreeman/Isobel McGongle/Mark Zerafa
It beats me how anyone can can interpret my comment as trying to justify RAPE!
I simply stated facts about the reality of the situation.
Unfortunately those who defend this surge of men on this small island do so through idealistic spectacles!
My comment is shocking because i said what others think and fear but do not say and i think this is why you rushed to the wrong conclusion.
What I am saying is that this could be the tip of a very ugly iceberg.
There are various reasons why action needs to be taken. This is another one and a serious one at that.

John Rodger,
Oh dear, tent city may soon be larger than Rabat if the fate that has befallen Lampedusa is anything to go by ?
Yes, there will be crime and consternation but little that anyone can do about it. If Malta was not in the E.U. the "illegal immigrants" GPS systems would have taken them further north ?
Malta now has to take the "downside" of E.U. membership and come to terms with it.
Love it or leave it. !! That is what tourists will do ?

Charles J. Buttigieg
I live in Melbourne Australia. Which policy are you talking about? The one where illegal immigrants are held in custody for many years? Which one is working?

THIS IS ONLY THE START OF OUR WORRIES AND PROBLEMS. YOU CAN EVEN IMAGEN THE ECOUNTERS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH. STOP THEM NOW GONZI SEND THEM BACK..............!!!!!!!

@ IM Dingli: it was attempted rape in the statement according to the report.
@ Edwin Mifsud: Bin Laden? Arriving on the next boat? Are you for real? I mean are you really worried that Bin Laden is going to try to enter Malta that way?
@ Jeremy Camilleri: Marsa, specifically the area around where the open centre is, has been a no-go zone for years before any Africans arrived. It was always a centre of prostitution, drug dealing and violence.

we better unite, form an emergency council, appoint volunteer lawyers to make sure we do not break any laws but we need to make a stand and regain control of our country totally before its too late ! I am writing in full respect to whoever and whatever person or entity mentioned in these contexts. We than meet the prime minister and express our concerns, i am sure they are his concerns too. We need signatures. Charity is good ! But it should start at home .die anyone ever ask what they will do after sucking all the juice me what is left in Malta ? They will leave to ruin another country and help stop its growth and infect it with this scam they play. I am sure that the trouble in their countries is caused by poor organizations and laws me the jungle, stealing threats murders and mayhem . We are soon over powered please let up do something now . I love my country and if you too feel the same way, let up meet and organize a legal respectful talk about this got lasting issue which threatens our future income, identity and mostly our safety. Thanks

Excellent anthropological piece about Maltese male violence towards women and minors and the sins of the corruptible Maltese justice system. The Maltese press dutifully reported all cases mentioned so I can't really see where the problem lies. Interesting perception regarding those who happen to live in Tax-Xbiex though. Some rather broad brushes in use I see.
I do think violent behaviour transcends race, and we can look at the alleged action for what it really is, an alleged act of violence towards women reputable or otherwise. However is the press being solicited not to report nationality in such cases as this is what, not news worthy, unethical, morally unacceptable, breeds mistrust, paranoia, xenophobia etc, etc ?

I am not going into the merits of this case, but what D. Fenech is saying is shocking, ridiculous and dangerous.

'These things are bound to happen' my foot. They enter here illegal, unwanted (now and ever), and now we justify rape, 'cause they cannot pay for services'. They want our cake and eat it. If Maltese girls don't want to have anything to do with them, they have to restrain themselves or be restrained. If they want, its there business. But here, we are the boss.

Or I have a better idea. Try convincing a female relative of yours into free service D. Fenech.

Rapes are rapes by whoever are committed, but they are more cynical when they are committed by unwanted guests.

Maltese will never stand to these things. As Norman Lowell used to say 'vedremo delle belle', should these things become the norm.

"Dont try again".

@Daphne Caruana Galizia
First of all, don't call people fools, everybody is entitled to his/her opinion as you are. What if this happened to you or your daughter or grand daughter? Maltese are not perfect either but I think that Malta has enough of it's own to worry about. These illegals or poor souls as you might call them are mostly young men with sexual needs and as an educated person you know they have urges which they can't exactly control. You know where it's going to end up so please don't call anybody fools, I think Maltese mothers and fathers have every right to express concern and they are entitled to express their frustrations openly.

" These men, most of them quite young have their natural sexual needs. I hope nobody is suggesting that they remain celibate!"

So you are saying you don't mind if someone rapes one of your family members, just as long as hes a Horny Teenager. You need serious help dude.

Also, we have enough rapes, murders and sick crap in this country (as correctly pointed out by DCG).. We Don't need to Import this kind of crap, especially from people who should be showing us respect and gratitude for saving them from certain death.

We should be importing Skilled Workers; we should never condone rape, black or white, because next time it could be your family member or you.

@Amanda Mallia: Good Point, actually what you are saying could be true, and he wouldn't have raped, but refused to pay. Which is a totally different story and actually kind of makes more sense than some Rapist targeting one area, that happens to be near a Red light district. He could be the Victim here. Well done Amanda Great thinking.

Actually the point here is not that this african young guy has made this erroneous step or was invited to a glorous trap or any other question regarding racism, but the fact is that how much more we can afford this insane influx of illegal immigrants, without any identification whatsoever, are going to come invade this nifty little country?! Sorry, they could have been any other people... All those who are in favour to illegal immigrants should be the only ones that should be ready to sustain them with all their needs. I and just like any other maltese citizen are not able enough to support such people. And it's getting worst day after day. Come on wake up and we are NOT going to shut up until something will be arranged.

We have the right to voice and fight for our rights. After all this is our country. We and our ancestors have taken dacades to cultivate these small islands with great loyalty and dignity. And there is much more that has to be done. The problem here is that these circumstances are slowing down our pace to develop our country and make it better for our own children.

@Joanna Leach
how right you are!

@Daphne Caruana Galizia
why don't you shut up? you are the fool for not realising or not wanting to realise the burden these people inflict on a country.
I have lived in london for several years. you don't send a 7 foot bodybuilder alone to the shops for a pint of milk at night. white people who married black people in brixton dont go out alone if they dont have their black baby or partner with them.

i am not an enoch powell supporter, but i sympathise with him. HE WAS RIGHT.

@DCG
For every crime committed by an immigrant there have to be 40 such crimes committed by Maltese for the per capita rate to remain equal. You still have to mention another 25 cases to achieve parity. Incidentally this is not the first rape to occur. A month ago a man was raped in Mosta. There were several others. The french student. The Japanese student. The two swedes. The Maltese in the Floriana carpark. I could go on.

No we will not shut up. That's what you hope we will do but we will not. Our freedom and liberty is at stake. Like your respect for other peoples opinions.

"These men, most of them quite young have their natural sexual needs. I hope nobody is suggesting that they remain celibate! "

You know, I have them too yet I'm not an illegal immigrant, but I won't tolerate discrimination!! So suggest us a solution! I'm bouncing with urge because I've always perfectly adhere to our laws! Are you suggestion I shouldn't??

Now, whilst I have made it clear what I think about this continual influx of potential criminals, seeing that they do not have any identification, and as such we can never be sure what they are running away from,, what AMANDA MALLIA has written does strike a chord.

So I suggest that everyone cools off and waits for the verdict....

@ Daphne Caruana Galizia,

So to the home grown scum we have to add the foreign scum.
but since it is foreign, it must be exotic and good for us according to your faulty logic.

Actually no Corinne Vella, we don't think these people are from the moon, but your continued support of a situation where Malta grapples on a daily basis to cope with the influx of clandestines, is to say the least incredibly insensitive to your nationals. The average, peace loving citizen has every right to feel concerned because it only takes basic mathematics to realize that this situation is unsustainable, both financially as well as logistically. Yes, the maltese people are deeply concerned on many levels and one of them is their personal security more especially if you have young teenage girls and if you live close to the dentention centres, so please stop trying to be funny.

I have been visiting Malta for over 30 years and have many friends living there. Having been over in July this year I found the amount of immigrants very worrying. As we in England ave our own problems regarding illegal immigrants I can speak from experience that it is the start of trouble. Yes, I agree that in certain countries, extra people arriving and seeking work can be a good thing but Malta is is no way able to support the influx of immigrants that arrive daily. Your own people are finding times difficult, as we are in Engalnd and the financial burden that these ilegal immigrants put on society is only making it worse for the ones that have a right to be there. As more and more arrive daily they will slowly start to take over - introducing their own cultures and religions and only ever taking - never giving. Please take a look at England - a country where we have to fight to display the St. Georges Cross for fear that it will offend other cultures! Don't let these people dictate to the Maltese people - it's not too late for it to be stopped.

Whilst in no way wishing to defend this man, it strikes me as odd that this man lives in Hal Far, and yet - coincidentally - all three women are from Ta' Xbiex. Testaferrata Street, maybe? If so, then could he have been set up? We have all heard of cases where men had their wallets stolen by prostitutes (including an infamous case a few months back). Maybe this was a case of extortion, as in "pay up, or else....".

I repeat, I am NOT trying to defend this man, but it strikes me as odd that the women all hail from the same area. The news report did not state where the alleged rape/attempted rapes took place, but saw fit to state the alleged victims' homeown.

Heard the one about the Maltese man who raped his three minor granddaughters? Or the one about the Maltese man who sent perverted messages to the young boys he taught at school? Or the one about the Maltese man who has just been charged with pederasty? Or the one about the Maltese man who poured lavatory cleaner over his wife after stabbing her 50 times and she lay writhing on the balcony, trying to call for help? Or the one about the Maltese man who threw his wife off a cliff in Gozo because separation was too much trouble? Or the one about the Maltese man who kept his wife and adult sons hostage for 30 years, beating them and terrorising them and taking his wife's sister into his bedroom, until one son shot him in despair? Or the one about the two Maltese brothers who ran a riding school and abused two small boys whose mother left them in their care, sodomising them in front of a video camera? Or the one about the Maltese chief justice who stands accused of reducing a drug trafficker's sentence in return for a brown envelope full of cash? Shut up, you fools.

@ D. Fenech

"These men, most of them quite young have their natural sexual needs. I hope nobody is suggesting that they remain celibate! "

This is a shocking comment. Are you trying to justify their actions simply because they're Africans - lest anyone calls you a racist? These people shouldn't be here in the first place. The least they can do is behave!!

And there was I going for a walk in Ta Xbiex. Now I'll stay indoors, or wear a chastity belt.

@D Fenech. I cannot believe what you said 1hr 16 mins ago! "These men have sexual needs. We cannot expect them to stay celibate. They cannot afford the services they need!! What are you suggesting? Well come on Maltese taxpayers, stump up some more tax.

These people need more help. Anybody ???.

@ Charles Buttigieg

Yes why shouldn't we?. Maybe we need to *borrow* the Australian Politicians on this one.... everything else seems to be going sooooooo perfectly on this island otherwise!! Or not? sigh...

@ D. Fenech
"These men, most of them quite young have their natural sexual needs. I hope nobody is suggesting that they remain celibate! "

WHAT D.FENECH ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY THAT THIS MAKES IT OK?

As usual...lots of people fail to see the problem for what it really is....

There is NO doubt, that every society has its deviants. I think there is no argument as to the fact that every country has trouble contolling its criminals etc,

In Malta, apart for our already obvious problem of home grown criminals, present in every society, we are getting lumped with imported criminals...People possibly SENT from their own countries, as most of the time we have no idea of their history.

This is not a problem of skin colour, but of people entering Malta ILLEGALLY. Now if people like Corinne Vella have decided to make a crusade in favour of Africans, so be it.

I think they might even need more of her passion in AFrica. Isn't that where the main problem is?

One fact is for sure, I challenge anyone to send his daughter or wife for a walk around Hal Far or Marsa after 21 00.

The greatest problem is not financial, it is cultural. these people have a totally different view on life. it works well in africa but not here. and we know by experience in other countries that when they reach a certain number, these people willstart to affect society. and no one will be excempt. not even the goody goodies.

@Micheal Andrews, while I understand that Sweden is a gigantic country compared to Malta, almost 70% of Sweden is covered by forests and there is a huge part of area that is not inhabited. You have to consider as well that these refugees have to be given time so they can prove themselves. I am certain that a huge amount of them would gladly work and pay taxes so they can start living proper lives and not in squalid tents. I was on a holiday in Malta last summer and 95% of the Maltese I spoke to about abortion still feel th same way. A country always needs labourers, especially right now and the near future because when the current generation retires there is going to be a shortage in the workforce allover the world. I am not making this up as this is a fact and as they say you cannot argue with facts. I would like to thankyou for being civil and polite in your reply, as not many people can be.

to d. fenech
These men, most of them quite young have their natural sexual needs. I hope nobody is suggesting that they remain celibate! But if these men come empty handed and supposedly from desperate financial conditions, How are they expected to pay for these services??????
what you suggest is that
they are free to rape???????
or the goverment pay for for them to have have sex????

@edgar gatt

NO! we are not safe with the Maltese criminals around.

So your arguing that because we have some Maltese criminals we should tolerate crime from Ilegals?

What would you say if Bin Laden was on the next boat load?

The truth is that this is another crime we could have done without and it only happened because Malta was so Christian to it's fellow brother.

Having said that it seem Mr. Trabulé has aparently not yet been proven guilty.

@ Moses Mula

Scandinavia has a huge problem with rapes. Most are commited by immigrants.

http://www.cphpost.dk/get/62173.html

The only reason why you do not hear any racist comments is that if you voice your opinion in Sweden you are sent to jail.

http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/003436.php

This was judged to be racist, a man commenting on gang rapes by immigrants in Sweden

"I don’t think I am alone in feeling sick when reading about how Swedish girls are raped by immigrant hordes."

Yet the rapes continue and are hidden from the public eye.
http://fjordman.blogspot.com/2005/12/immigrant-rape-wave-in-sweden.html

You may feel disgusted but at least in Malta we can still express our opinion.

We are tuned to the EU system of handling illegal migration and we are not getting the desired results. The Australians adopted a different policy and it worked for them. Would anybody give me one valid reason why we shouldn’t work this problem out using the Australian method?

According to tafere bezabih" remember that every one have his own behaviour"
and there lies the biggest problem. these people have a totally different culture to ours and this will eventually create trouble. the huge numbers coming in are not able to integrate into our society. they are creating enclaves and ghettoes which are turning into no go areas . in a country the size of malta in a matter of a few years these will become countries within a country.

Ps: Tent City my foot!
Tent dump is more like it!
Have any of these wise individuals who preach to us visited the Tent Dump in Hal Far lately or worse the Marsa Ghetto!
Sometimes I think that these people walk around wearing rose tinted glasses!
Could it be because reality hurts ???????

@ Moses Mula
Sweden and Malta are totally different in alot of ways.
In the 1950's and 60's immigrants were welcomed with open arms because they were much needed labourers at the time......Malta do not need them as labourers here at all.
The area where we live is different too.Sweden has almost 174,000 square miles of land and Malta has 95 square miles.
Malta is the 8th most densely populated country in the world whereas Sweden is the 150h most densely populated.......there is a difference.
If you were to come back to Malta today i think you will find that alot of people's opinions have changed regarding abortion and divorce and no we do not think Sweden are the sons of satan.....it's their country...let them do as they wish.
It is getting overcrowded here and we do not have the resources to support thousands of immigrants like maybe Sweden does.
If most of these immigrants made a contribution to society then maybe it would be more acceptable,but until then we must be careful to watch how many we allow here otherwise we will finish up like the UK.................. and believe me....... we dont want to finish up like them.

I wonder whether most of the people with their racists comments below cheer their favourite football team every week-end, knowing that included in the squads of their favourite team there are Africans and Arabs, some being the main stars of the game.
Exactly! that goes to show that the people who are worried about this influx of migrants are not racists. you said it yourself. the african players are not posing a threat to our country. any one who poses a threat be they black, white, yellow or purple with orange dots should be opposed.

I do not see the point of mentioning that all 3 women were from Ta Xbiex. Why? Do the women from Ta Xbiex deserve to be raped or something?
Neither is it relevant to mention that the alleged rapist is African from the Ivory Coast.
A rapist is a rapist wherever he comes from.
Whether the rape actually took place is for the courts of law to decide and not for me or us to judge.
However, in my opinion, this incident highlights the fact that Malta is now occupied by a large number of men , who have entered our island illegally. These men, most of them quite young have their natural sexual needs. I hope nobody is suggesting that they remain celibate!
Incidents like these, if this alleged rape did take place, are bound to happen.
Together with many other Maltese I too have noted that there are women and men ready to offer their services to them. But if these men come empty handed and supposedly from desperate financial conditions, How are they expected to pay for these services??????
This is another angle to the desperate problem this surge of illegal immigrants is having on our island.

@ tafere bezabih
It's true, one can't blame all africans for this crime but we can blame most of them for the crime of entering a country without any documents! something maltese didn't do when they emigrated to other countries.

To Corinne Vella,

No one here is saying that rape was invented when the first African stepped onto Maltese soil. Yes it is true that rape is also committed by Maltese people but the truth of the matter is that we are giving these refugees everything we can and instead of saying thank you they cause harm to the same people that are trying to help them. Now i'm in favour of charity and helping these refugees but I get really angry when my generosity is payed back by such alleged actions. And so goes for the rest of the people who say that Maltese people are racists, maybe we are, but we are also betrayed by the people who we are trying to help. There are always two sides of the story!

Here we go again: giving out the name of the accused before he is proven guilty. So much for Chriistian charity and plain old fairness.

@Tafere Bezabih. This is a free European Country and we also allow you and your fellow Africans to express an opinion in our free media. Due to our civilised legal systems we have to accept the situation as is but this does not make us happy and we also have the right to protest about the illegal entry of your African friends. The Maltese tax payer is so generous that is very willing to pay for a one way ticket in an air-conditioned aircraft to repatriate all the illegal immigrants. Personally I am prepared to fund a dozen tickets from my own funds. Because Tafere we full and fed up now, do you hear?

Lock your doors and hide your women! The world is coming to an end! By the way, have you noticed that most sexual crimes in Malta are committed by uncles, cousins, granddads and dads?

@ All

I just want to clearly state that I am completely against rape be it perpetrated by Maltese or Non-Maltese citizens. I consider this act worst than murder since you actually kill the victim morally but she/he is left living like a zombie.

@ Franco Farrugia

Welcome back! My dear friend, the person in question admitted to one rape already as stated by the police.... but i guess you don't trust the police any longer ... correct?

I don't think he meant refugees....more likely he meant that the Maltese identity consists of a blend of different cultures. I myself have French, Italian & Austrian ancestory.....this is a very common trait in Mediterranean countries

Unbelievable Corinne!

@ tafere bezabih
the maltese were never refugees. they emmigrated to the UK/USA/AUS because they were urged to do so by the British government to help ease the burden that WW2 inflicted on the worlds biggest empire. maltese had a right to live and work in the UK, as we were a colony.

who invited the migrants to malta? we never colonised nations, we never subsidised the fare for migrants to come to malta.

back in the 80s, the then metropolitan police chief said that the maltese invasion of london was a joke in comparison to what the africans are going to do. and we all know many maltese based in london were far from model citizens. how right he was. just take a look at london now. men cant even walk the streets alone never mind women and children. the police dont even patrol brixton, let alone how a white man can walk there.

@ I. M. Dingli: Well said. Maltese people left our country as IMMIGRANTS and not as refugees. And besides they left as honest people to work in other countries and not to earn their living directly from the funds of that country.

These migrants are exhausting us to the tip of our nose. We have clearly seen how smart you are. Don't invent any other excuses - JUST LEAVE OUR COUNTRY....

Most of you disgust me and make feel embarrased to call myself Maltese. I knew before I left Malta nine years ago that there was a pretty strong racist sentiment among most Maltese when it came to Arabs, muslims , non europeans and other different cultures but after this immigration thing started this wave of racism grew thousandfold. This is a man who stands accused of raping women, which is one of the lowest acts a person can commit, and not because he is black and an immigrant. It is funny, the majority of the Maltese are against abortion and divorce and you probably would think that a country like Sweden which is progressive in its thoughts regarding these issues are the sons of satan, but you should know that the ammount of immigrants in Sweden is far bigger than eleven thousand. it is probably closer to a million, and yet you do not see this huge ammount of racism.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to draw the line between people who provide identification and people who do not.

What can people who are persecuted by their government do about not having papers?
What can the Somalis do? That country has no government... there is noone to collect taxes, let alone issue ID papers.

I invite everyone to reflect on the last statement of tafere bezabih:
"at the end remember that every one have his own behaviour".
He means that, as his African compatriot is here in Malta, we have to accept his behaviour. Common sense should tell tafere bezabih that once in Malta everyone should obey Maltese laws and customs. Is that too much to ask for?

Multiracism, multiculturalism, and multi-religion, is the present and future of all developed and developing countries. Whether you like it or not ,those are the facts. Given that, there is two ways to go around it, either try and help these people to integrate, or else keep tormenting them with your evil comments with the hope that they leave. My guess is that the latter is counteractive because it is a loss-loss situation, where immigrants will be maltreated but stay, given their options, and the racists will keep on moaning and feel depressed until their last breath.

Open your mind, and see facts for facts, and then we can start finding ways to minimise the differences, but realise that there is no solution to accommodate everyone, and everyone has rights whether foreigners or not.

I wonder whether most of the people with their racists comments below cheer their favourite football team every week-end, knowing that included in the squads of their favourite team there are Africans and Arabs, some being the main stars of the game.

Here we go again...rape was invented in Malta the day the first immigrant from Africa landed in Malta. No sexual crime was ever committed by Maltese people so such practices *must* have been imported by people who are not as pure as we Maltese are. Whatever next? Immigrants are actually from outer space only they disguise their space ships as leaking boats?

@ tafere bezabih

Maltese immigrants were never refugees and they certainly did not emigrate to other countries ILLEGALLY. Get your facts straight.

@ I M Dingli - here I am!

Whether he is an immigrant or a Maltese, the crime that he is being accused of is the same and thus he should be treated in the same manner.

Don't come saying that he's a rapist - if he is that, he still has to stand trial - because he's an immigrant. There are so many Maltese rapists.

Don't come telling me that Maltese have the right to rape, and immigrants don't.
So ....

@ Liam, the Maltese tax payer, has kept this individual for the last 2 years. Are you suggesting that if he is found guilty, the Maltese tax payer continues to keep him, in prison ?.

@Teferah Bezabih, can you please explain when exactly were the maltese ever leaving our country in droves as refugees? Furthermore if you come into a country without any legal documentation, that makes your entry illegal, and thus you re an illegal immigrant. If he was an asylum seeker, why hide his identification documentation? With respect to any evidence proving his guilt, I m sure charges wouldn t have been pressed if sufficient evidence weren't available. I agree you can t blame all africans living in Malta for a crime committed by a single individual. The only worrying fact is that despite the fact that the irregular immigrant community comprises such a small portion of the country's populace, they seem to be contributing quite dispropotionately to the local crime rate.

@ tafere bezabih
The man is an illegal alien, no more no less. There are 3800 kilometers from Ivory Coast to Malta with many stable countries in between. By no stretch of the imagination can he ever be granted refugee status. Come to think of it not even one illegal immigrant is technically entitled to refugee status because none of them come DIRECT from their country where they claim persecution.

The way the situation is rapidly degenerating it will soon be hell for both Maltese and Africans.

@Tafere Bezabih: No sir we were not refugees, we went to their countries legally, we didn't jump on boats and left with no papers to go anywhere. Even when bombs were being dropped on us by the Germans and the Italians. We fought back with what we had. Then later some of us left, with passports and papers. We had nothing to hide. We still don't have anything to hide.Prople in Malta are still seeking a better life in places like US, Canada and Australlia but tey wait till there turn comes up. If he is eeking asylum, he should have brought papers.

@ tafere bezabih

I’m sorry but it doesn’t make so much difference to the victims whether he is an asylum seeker or whatever.

We have a lot of these cases of rape involving African people so it isn’t just one person

Maltese people were NEVER refugees as you state (go check you history books before putting words to your mouth about that issue)

He admitted to one case in a police statement (read the article carefully next time)

From the TOM 12/09/08 "A 29-year-old man from Kercem has been arraigned in court in Gozo and accused of raping a woman and holding her...."

How come a Maltese man's identity is withheld and a foreigner's identity is revealed. What if this guy is innocent as happened with a Libyan man falsley accused of raping a woman in Floriana a few years back....if my memory serves me right i even recall the Times plastering his face (and name) on the front page. If that is not racist treatment in regards to certain foreigners then nothing really is.

@ Liam Borg

You are clearly concerned about fairness. Where is the fairness in someone entering your country without providing identification?

Maltarightnow adds a detail: the victims are Maltese from Ta' Xbiex:
"In-nisa huma kollha Maltin u huma minn Ta' Xbiex fejn allegatament seħħew ir-reati."

first of all the man was not an illegal imigrant he is an assylum seeker.but this man when he comes he ask an assylum.second you cannot blame all africans becouse of one.third remeber that there was a time maltese people were and are a refugees in a lot of countries.fourth what was the evidence that he was guilty of this raping.
at the end remeber that every one have his own behaviour

This is the thanks our country gets for its ultra-lenient policy regarding the handling of ILLEGAL immigrants. Such criminals should be immediately expatriated. Malta is already crowded enough. The excuse of multiculturalism does not hold water on an island with less than half-million inhabitants. Anyway, Personally I’d rather mingle with those from whom I could learn and gain. I am in favour of charity by all means, but when my personal safety and the interests of my nation bear the brunt, different issues come into play! I am personally not ready to forfeit my country to unwanted strangers… and I hope that no fellow Maltese are!? (I have doubts)

He should be deported from Malta if found guilty, we do not need this kind of people roaming in our streets to the danger of our Maltese children. We should live in our homes with a rest of our mind, not worrying and afraid of these people.

@ I.M. Dingli et al

I am not against or in favour of illegal immigrants as I am not against or in favour of Maltese citizens. What I do believe, however, is that both Maltese and foreigners should be treated as equals and neither race or nationality, call it what you will, is superior or more equal than the other. If found guilty by the proper authorities this man should face the full and appropriate criminal punishment which is equal to that given to a Maltese citizen. If we believe that foreigners deserve more severe punishments than the Maltese do, or vice-versa, than I cannot but voice my concern.

And apart from roaming about in the streets, they use satellite mobile phones for hours on our doorsteps! Who pays that?!

Malta is losing its one and only remaining asset, that of being a safe place - if it has not already lost it.

I cannot understand how a foreigner has been in Malta for two years roaming about our streets without any identification whatsoever enjoying a holiday at the taxpayer expense. This is incredible. At least he should never been allowed to leave the Tent City. Why is he not send right away to his country. I think that the Govt is treating the problem of illegal immigrant with great indifference. We should send them right from where they came. The problem has become intolerable and thank heaven that i would not be here in 20 yrs time.

Any comment from the NGOs? And what about those people in favour of helping illegal immigrants? Where is Daphne Caruana Galizia?

Sorry to say, I have seen this all before, the crime the abuse and the disregard to a host country, in the U.K. years ago. Crime, Rioting, Arson were all part of the parcel.
The remedy, give them their own districts, dole offices, churches/temples, also to make them no go areas for the nationals. Sound about right, because this is the way Malta is heading. Oh and their own community policing.

He probably meant SmartCity.

Another group of bloggers saying that Malta is not safe for our children. A few days ago an educated white Maltese man was charged with having sex with a minor. What about our children, are they safe with these sick Maltese men............

Wow!! Is this the New Modern Malta!!! Why do we have to leave these people go around in our Street. They should be told that Malta is not the Bronx if that is what they think. If we continue like this Malta will loose it's reputation of being a safe destination for Tourists and even for Maltese people.

@ Phil Press
There will be many but it is not the first.

What do you expect when you let such a large amount of illegal immigrants roaming about Malta's streets. And this is only the beginning. I can't undersrtand why the government can't forsee the grave problems in store for our country. Send them all home and don't believe the stories they conjecture.

It is not Tent City but Smart City. They are smart enough to enter Malta without identification and attempt rape. After three tries he gets caught.....(we only seem to know of his three tries!)...oh sorry, he is innocent until proven guilty so I withdraw all the above.....until proven guilty of course!
Howabout a facebook group like the one for Transport?

This is just the start. These men come from countries where women cover up. They cannot cope with the Western ways.

I came here to retire on my own support because Malta was a safe country, not much crime and a pleasure to walk about in the hot evenings. Not any more!!! They are destroying your country and will eventually kill tourism, therefore your income and gentle reputation.

There we have it. The dark side of illegal immigration. People entering the country without any identification and after a couple of mounths behind the fence they are enevtually thrown on the streets, without at least being told that is not some sub-saharan uncivilized country.

We already have a problem, in my opinion, of an ever increasing group of uncivilised Maltese people who do not know how to behave as civilized people should in a society. And by civilised I do not only mean not to shout and swear in public. Now we are adding to these people a couple of uncivilized sub-Sahara individuals.

The first of many i hate to say. Been in Malta 2 YEARS no I.D.
Must take a long time to assess ILLEGALS. What now keep him in prison, at the tax payer's expense or go through a trial and maybe deport him. Once again at the tax payer's expense. Only to come back on another Holiday.

Its news to me that now we have a residential area called TENT CITY ! Can anyone please tell me who is the Mayor of this new locality ?

Where did these incidents happen? Were these women fellow *foreigners* living in the Tent City too? ..Or is this what the Maltese female generation, especially the younger ones, are going to be facing? I don't wish to generalize, but Malta doesn't feel like home anymore... or as safe. I bet thousands of parents to teenage girls are with me on this!

Came to Malta witout identification. Me as a Maltese citizen can't enter Malta without identification. We still wonder why someone who has nothing to hide, comes to Malta without identification. But for the biggest crime of this story. Why would the Maltese government and the Maltese AFM and police let someone walk the streets that our kids are walking if he came with no identification. To the victims SUE MALTA, and sue anyone who is sworn to protect you fom such events.