A Russian-born former Israeli army soldier was yesterday charged with attempting to kill his wife when he fired a pistol, with the bullet penetrating the TV set, shattering a glass pane and hitting a wall across the road.
The case, which the defence termed as “a mystery”, allegedly took place at the couple’s home in Triq il-Mediterran, San Ġwann on Monday evening.
Simon Aydelman, a 53-year-old businessman, denied attempting to murder his wife, firing a weapon in her direction in an inhabited area, being in possession of an unlicensed firearm, harassing the woman and causing her to fear that violence will be used against her.
He also pleaded not guilty to being in possession of cannabis and breaching various previous court judgments.
The court heard this was not the first time there were problems between the two and he had already been convicted of similar incidents involving his wife. Last September, he threatened to kill her and fired a weapon in public. “He is a dangerous man. The bullet could have easily killed someone walking in the street,” Police Inspector Elton Taliana told Magistrate Ian Farrugia as he objected to bail.
“He was a soldier in the Israeli army in the past and suffers from a mental condition when he becomes paranoid. To make matters worse, he has a drinking problem. The police found him in a drunken state when they arrived on the scene on Monday. If he is granted bail, his wife will be in constant danger,” the officer pleaded.
Defence lawyers Robert Galea and Shazoo Ghaznavi said their client was vehemently denying trying to kill his wife or even shooting at her. They said the police did not even find the semi-automatic pistol they were claiming to have been used during this case, which they described as “a mystery”.
The magistrate said the accused did not offer the guarantees necessary at law to be granted bail and, therefore, he was remanded in custody.
On a request by both the prosecution and defence, the magistrate recommended that Mr Aydelman be kept at the Mount Carmel Hospital’s forensic unit to receive “psychological and medical” treatment.
Lawyer Sarah Sultana appeared parte civile for the woman.