The 25-year-old Libyan who ended up in hospital after being stabbed on Saturday was arraigned in court this afternoon charged with attempted grievous bodily harm.

Appearing in court in a wheelchair, hanging his head in pain, Wades Al Maghrbi pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause Zouhir Elfezqa grievous bodily harm, causing him slight injuries with a pointed weapon, sequestering and threatening him and possessing a weapon.

The incident occurred at about 8.30am in a residence in Triq is-Sidra, Swieqi, when an argument was sparked over political rivalry between the two opposing Libyan governments of Tripoli and Tobruk.Mr Al Maghrbi, who has humanitarian protection, was stabbed in the foot and his artery was severed, leaving him initially in a critical condition.

On Sunday, Zouhir Elfezqa, 31, was charged attempted murder and inflicting grievous injuries.

Mr Al Maghrbi’s friend, Mohammed Abdul Hafid Abukem, 21, had also been arraigned and accused of attempting to inflict grievous injuries to Mr Elfezqa, slightly injuring him, holding him against his will and carrying an unlicensed knife.

Prosecuting officers Elton Taliana and James Grech objected to bail, pointing out that although he was the victim, he was armed to attack others together with Mr Abukem.

There was an ocular witness who was yet to testify, they told the court, adding that the witness was afraid he would get to him. The court heard how the accused’s friends had tried to influence the witness into changing his version of events.

Lawyer Gianluca Caruana Curran strongly objected to this line of reasoning, pointing out that his client denied everything and that he had ended up in intensive care.

He only went to the residence to sleep over and not to fight. He was also still very much in pain, and hoped he would be kept in hospital.

Magistrate Joe Mifsud said that conflicts from other countries should not be imported to Malta.

“Such conflicts should not end up here and create unnecessary alarm which is then used by some to attack genuine refugees. Such incidents should not cast a bad light on such people. If we have conflicts, we follow the rule of law and not that of the jungle. There are legal avenues one can take."

The accused was remanded in custody. The magistrate recommended that the prison director appoint a doctor to inspect him and ensure he is given the necessary treatment.

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