‘Police justified Gaddafi’s actions’

A Libyan claimed yesterday police officers told him that what Muammar Gaddafi was doing to his fellow countrymen was good.

Yousri Agouri, 31, of Fgura, made the claim when he was arraigned and accused of attacking and injuring two policemen.

He is charged with attacking Police Constables Clifford Frendo and Anthony Zammit at about 12.30 a.m. on Sunday along Sa Maison Hill in Pieta’, with slightly injuring them, breaking PC Frendo’s spectacles, being drunk to the point of not being able to take care of himself, breaching bail conditions and escaping custody.

An anonymous call reached the police on the night in question after a man was heard making a racket in the street, sources said. When the police went to investigate, the man refused to cooperate and allegedly attacked them. On the way to the police station in St Julians, the man also allegedly tried to escape from a police car and hit the two officers while handcuffed, the sources said.

Mr Agouri pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

Mr Agouri asked to speak to Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit and claimed he had been beaten by police as he was arrested. He also claimed the officers told him that what Col Gaddafi was doing to his fellow countrymen was good. The accused said one of the officers even put his foot on his head. His injuries were all documented on a medical certificate, he said.

At this point, his partner butted in and told the magistrate they had two children, the youngest just two months old.

The magistrate told the couple her decision to remand the accused in custody was final but she would be hearing the case with some urgency and allocated a slot on Monday to begin proceedings. Once the important witnesses were heard, the magistrate said she would consider bail.

Police Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted.

Lawyer Joe Brincat appeared for the accused.