The Somali community living in Malta has expressed its solidarity with the Italian woman who was allegedly gang raped by Somali men in Ħal Far last month.

“We hope the men who committed this crime will be brought to justice. It is for the Maltese court to decide on the case, but we wish to say such actions against women are serious crimes and are not tolerated by law or by the Somalis,” a spokesman said yesterday.

He urged Malta’s authorities not to stop their tireless efforts to help Somali refugees needing protection.

“We also ask people not to judge the whole Somali community by the actions of the few.”

Last month two men were remanded in custody after denying they raped an Italian woman in Ħal Far between 2 and 4am on March 25.

Abdiraman Abukar and Liban Mohamoud, both 26 of Floriana, were also charged with violent indecent assault, holding the woman against her will, harassing her, offending public morals and slightly injuring her.

The 21-year-old Italian, who lives in Valletta, told police she was snatched by a number of men and bundled into a car while walking in the capital, then raped by foreigners.

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