Two arraigned over Żejtun polling station incident

Edwin Bartolo, known as Il-Qaħbu, and Salvatore Mifsud, Tal-Qattus, were yesterday charged with attacking Nationalist Party electoral agents outside the Żejtun polling station on Saturday.

The two were arrested after they were allegedly involved in a fight near the Carlo Diacono Girls' Junior Lyceum, in Żejtun, which was being used as a polling station for Saturday's Euro-parliamentary elections.

PN counting agent Grezzju Bondin was punched in the eye in the fight.

During the arraignment, which was over in minutes, the two men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr Bartolo, 58, of Żejtun, and Mr Mifsud, 42, of Żabbar, denied assaulting Mr Bondin and PN counting agent Joseph Brownrigg.

They also denied slightly injuring Mr Bondin.

Defence lawyer Edward Gatt asked for bail and pointed out to Magistrate Michael Mallia that people were not usually taken to court on such charges. He added that other people involved were not charged.

The two men were given bail against a personal guarantee of €2,000. Police Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Dennis Theuma prosecuted.

Lawyers Edward Gatt and Caroline Farrugia appeared for the accused.