Maximilian Ciantar re-arrested after Attorney-General's appeal

Updated - A court this afternoon ordered the re-arrest of Maximilian Ciantar after the Attorney General filed an appeal calling for revocation of bail.

Bail was granted last week after Maximilian Ciantar was accused of attempting to assault a journalist and threatening four journalists. He was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €9,000.

Lara Lanfranco, representing the AG's office, told Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano today that Mr Ciantar could not be trusted, as evident from his criminal record. Even before he ran over twins while driving in Attard last year, Mr Ciantar had already violated driving bans, the lawyer said.

Furthermore, last week's incident happened within the law courts building just minutes after Mr Ciantar was granted bail after having been accused of yet again violating a driving ban, she said.

Dr Joe Brincat, who is appearing for Mr Ciantar, said this case had been sensationalised by the media and the charges were not serious enough to merit his client being kept behind bars. He also raised legal arguments for bail to be kept.

Mr Justice Quintano upheld the Attorney General's request and ordered the re-arrest of Mr Ciantar, finding that he could not be trusted. The court decree made no mention of the bail money.