Two migrants in custody over 'tribal' brawl in Ħal Far

Two migrants have been remanded in custody accused of their involvement in "a fight between tribes" that took place two weeks ago.

Somali nationals Abdalla Mahammud Abdirahmaan, 25 and Hassan Mohamed Weliyo, 20, pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring Osman Hassan Mohammed in a brawl between two Somali tribes, Police Inspector Anthony Portelli told the court.

He said the fight had been over Khat and one of the tribes, made up of men staying at the Marsa Open Centre, had gone to Ħal Far to try and steal the plant from the other clan.

The two men had thrown stones at the alleged victim and hit him on the head, seriously injuring him, the inspector said. Yesterday's arraignment follows that of two others. Mustaf Abdi Bihi 24, who was accused of seriously injuring Hussein Ali Omar when he also threw stones at him while Fakariye Alaf Hasan, 20, stands accused of the attempted murder of another migrant. They had both pleaded not guilty.