A Times of Malta journalist told a court this afternoon how a group of hunters threatened him during a demonstration in Valletta on September 21, when one of them made a gesture that he was going to slit his throat.
Ivan Martin said that he had spoken to some of the hunters who, he said, were "frustrated" and it was only later that they became aggressive towards him. There were only four or five policemen at the time when the demonstrators numbered some 200.
Mr Martin said there was a commotion when they started objecting to him taking photographs with his mobile. He even had a hot dog hurled at him.
Times of Malta photographer Chris Sant Fournier also told Magistrate Antonio Vella how the hunters had chanted songs and used foul language, particularly against Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the Labour government.
Videographer Mark Zammit Cordina said he was filming the protest when, all of a sudden, someone. who he identified in court as Krist Callus, covered the camera lens and pushed his equipment.
He also identified Gabriel Farrugia as the person who was holding an imitation shotgun.
The journalists testified in the compilation of evidence against nine men: Alan Mizzi, 22, from Żebbuġ (Gozo); Oliver Borg, 42, from Marsascala; Krist Callus, 24, from Żurrieq; Brian Grech, 21, from Rabat; David Spagnol, 44, from Marsascala; Simon Camilleri, 26, from Żabbar; Arnold Farrugia, 21, from Dingli; Gabriel Farrugia, 19, from Mosta; and Josmar Buhagiar, 28, from Żabbar.
All nine are pleading not guilty to: conspiring to commit a crime, inciting others to break the law, insulting and shouting threatening words at the Prime Minister, forming part of an illegal protest during which they showed disrespect towards the government, making obscene gestures and breaching the peace.
Arnold Farrugia and Gabriel Farrugia were also charged with the possession of a fake shotgun while committing a crime that threatened security. Gabriel Farrugia was charged with the possession of protected species and committing a crime while on probation.
Mr Camilleri was charged with committing a crime during the operative period of suspended jail term. Arnold Farrugia, Mr Grech and Mr Mizzi were charged with hurling stones.
Mr Callus was charged with assaulting Times of Malta cameraman Mark Zammit Cordina and relapsing while Mr Spagnol was charged with assaulting Mr Martin and Mr Sant Fournier.
Both Mr Martin and Mr Sant Fournier identified Mr Spagnol as the person who had threatened them. However, they could not identify the person who kicked Mr Martin and poked Mr Sant Fournier in the eye.
Mr Martin said Mr Spagnol had to be restrained by some six or seven protesters.
At the end of the sitting, the group of defence lawyers requested bail. Magistrate Vella said he would decide on the matter tomorrow morning. They have been in custody since their arraignment on Tuesday last week.
The case continues later this month.