A woman had her mobile phone confiscated in court this morning after she took photos in court of a Libyan man testifying against her boyfriend’s younger brother.
The incident happened during the hearing of a case about a knifing incident that happened on January 30 in Swieqi when three Libyan men clashed over political rivalry in their home country.
Magistrate Josette Demicoli ordered the Police Commissioner to take all the steps he deemed necessary against the woman. She was escorted out of the courtroom.
The magistrate also ordered police protection for Mohammed Hafed al-Arara, who was on the witness box at the time, after he claimed intimidation by friends of one of the accused.
At one point the magistrate also ordered the police to clear the courtroom entrance where a number of Libyan men had gathered.
The woman had entered the courtroom and sat down beside Zouhir Elfezqa, one of the accused, considered a rival by her boyfriend. The woman had a clear line of sight of the witness box.
It was Mr Elfezqa who informed his lawyer that she was taking photos and the police immediately confiscated her mobile. On it were photos of the Mr al-Arara on the witness stand.
The incident happened as the court continued to hear the compilation of evidence against Mr Elfezqa and Mohammed Abdul Hafid Abukem (the brother of the woman’s boyfriend) over a knifing incident inside a Swieqi apartment.
Mr al-Arara testified that he was sleeping inside the flat with Mr Elfezqa when Mr Abukem and Wadea Al Maghrbi knocked on the door at around 7.30am.
After opening the door, Mr al-Arara said the two Libyans headed for the bedroom where Mr Elfezqa was asleep and dragged him out into the living room. The two aggressors had penknives, according to Mr al-Arara.
Mr al-Arara testified that he then saw Mr Abukem approach his flat mate, hit him on the head and draw his penknife from his belt.
Mr al-Arara did not witness the knifing incident since he left the apartment and went to seek police help.
Mr al-Arara testified that he then saw Mr Abukem approach his flat mate, hit him on the head and draw his penknife from his belt.
It appears that Mr Elfezqa fought back and at some point knifed his aggressor Mr Al Maghrbi in his left thigh. Mr Al Maghrbi was grievously injured and according to emergency doctor Jonathan Joslin was in danger of losing his life.
The police have pressed charges against Mr Al Maghrbi and Mr Abukem for attempted grievous bodily harm, and against Mr Elfezqa for attempted murder.
Mr al-Arara, who was visibly scared as he testified, said the two men who entered the flat were accusing his friend of “collaborating” with the Tripoli police.
Libya is riven by conflict as two rival governments have split the country in half since the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The internationally-recognized government is based in the eastern city of Tobruk while the self-declared Tripoli administration controls the capital and swathes of territory in the west.
Defense lawyer Arthur Azzopardi, appearing for Mr Elfezqa, asked for bail, insisting that his client was the victim and acted in self-defense.
Magistrate Demicoli granted Mr Elfezqa bail against a deposit of EUR2,300 and a personal guarantee of €15,000. She ordered him to sign at the St Julian's police station everyday.
Mr Abukem was remanded in custody. The case is expected to continue on February 17.
A separate case against Mr Al Maghrbi was heard last Friday. He was denied bail by Magistrate Joe Mifsud, who chided the Libyans for importing their domestic conflict to Malta.