Arraigned over open centre fight

An illegal immigrant was yesterday remanded in custody after he denied involvement in the attempted murder of another migrant during a fight between two tribes on October 4.

Mohamed Mahadallah Ahmed, 18, from Somalia pleaded not guilty to trying to kill Abdi Risaq Farah and slightly injuring Jama Ahmed Omar during the fight at Ħal Far open centre.

The fight had been over the plant khat. The plant, Catha edulis, has been chewed by east Africans for hundreds of years and plays a big part in the social lives of both men and women. It is usually chewed for its stimulant effect. One of the tribes at the Marsa open centre had gone to Ħal Far to try and steal it from them, Police Inspector Anthony Portelli told the court.

The arraignment follows that of another four immigrants, all in their 20s, in connection with the same brawl. Three were accused of seriously injuring a man and the fourth was charged with attempted murder.