A well-known Valletta cinema that has been operating for years was shut after its alleged operator was yesterday charged with screening pornographic films.
The police seized almost 5,000 adult films in a raid on the infamous City Lights Capitol Cinema, which over the years had garnered a seedy reputation.
During the arraignment, the smartly dressed, 67-year-old pensioner Alexander Baldacchino pleaded not guilty to screening the films in public, selling them and using a projector and video machine illegally.
The cinema with a dirty but ornate façade is situated in St John's Street, just a few metres down from Republic Street and round the corner from the court house.
The arraignment was over in minutes and Mr Baldacchino was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000. Police Inspector Raymond Aquilina prosecuted.
Lawyer Ivan Vella was defence counsel.