Mqabba shooting: Man accused of the attempted murder of 20 people

Carmel Saliba, an unemployed 31-year-old man from Kirkop, was arraigned before Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna this afternoon and accused of the attempted murder of 20 people at the PN club in Mqabba last night.

He was also accused of the illegal possession of a firearm, firing a weapon in an inhabited area, and seriously injuring Omar Cucciardi and Sylvana Callus.He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

Legal Aid Martin Fenech, in requesting bail, said the accused had had an argument in the club. He had left and then returned and fired at a closed door.

Police Inspector Anthony Portelli, prosecuting, said the accused had fired when the door was still being closed, and had the police not stopped him, "there would have been a massacre".