Two Somali immigrants pleaded not guilty to raping an Italian woman and holding her against her will last Sunday.

Abdiraman Abukar and Liban Mohamud, both 26 of Floriana, also pleaded not guilty to violent indecent assault on a 21-year-old Italian woman on Sunday between 2 and 4am.

They are also charged with holding the woman against her will, harassing her, offending public morals, slightly injuring her, stealing her mobile phone and using violence against her.

Police Inspector Yvonne Farrugia told Magistrate Neville Camilleri the two men were arrested after their mobile phone numbers were traced from a number of records.

The woman, who resides in Valletta, reported that she was snatched by a number of men and bundled into a car while walking in Valletta. They then raped her in Ħal Far.

The prosecuting officer objected to bail being granted, noting the serious nature of the crime and pointing out there were several witnesses, including the victim herself, who had still to be heard.

Mr Mohamud was also charged with driving a car without a licence and breaching bail conditions.

Mr Abukar was charged with relapsing.

Mr Abukar had been found guilty of raping a woman in a public place and Mr Mahmoud had breached bail conditions and violated the curfew imposed by a court, the officer said.

Lawyer Cedric Mifsud, who appeared as legal aid, argued that the court could impose a number of bail conditions to ensure the accused would attend court sittings. The men were immigrants and could not leave the country, he noted.

He pointed out that Mr Abukar, who was in a wheelchair, had a pipe inserted in his stomach to help him with his needs.

Magistrate Camilleri refused bail and remanded them in custody, saying they were not reliable and could abscond.

He also asked the prison director to ensure Mr Abukar be given all the necessary attention for his medical condition.

The court issued a protection order covering the woman and her family.

Earlier in the day, Magistrate Camilleri conditionally discharged another Somali man, Omar Ahmed, for a year after he admitted receiving a stolen mobile phone, which belonged to the woman.

The prosecution said the police were informed that the stolen phone, worth about €200, had been sold to Mr Ahmed, 31.

The prosecuting officer said Mr Ahmed had fully cooperated with the police and had returned the phone.

Dr Mifsud said Mr Ahmed was unaware that the phone was stolen or where it had come from.

Police Inspector Carole Fabri prosecuted.