Police launch hunt for man scheduled to stand trial

The police have launched a manhunt after a Tunisian failed to turn up for trial and are appealing to whoever has any information to come forward.

Ali Abelfetah Missawi, 33, stands charged with trying to kill Moroccan national Moulay Rachid on May 12, 2006 by smashing a wine bottle over his head in a fit of rage at about 11 p.m. in City Gate, Valletta.

During the compilation of evidence in November 2006, Mr Missawi was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €4,568.

At the end of those proceedings, and the court declared there was enough evidence to indict him, the accused, as is normal practice, was asked whether he wanted to stand trial by jury or have the case decided by a judge. He chose the latter.

On Monday, when the trial was scheduled to start, police Inspector Alfred Mallia told Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono that the accused had stopped signing the bail book two days earlier and when contacted had told the police he was in Gozo.

The accused remains at large and anyone with information on Mr Missawi is asked to call 2122 1111 or contact the nearest police station.