Four of the nine hunters who participated in the illegal demonstration in Valletta on Independence Day two years ago have been sentenced after deciding to plead guilty.

The men had been arraigned after they took part in an illegal protest at City Gate on September 21.The protest followed a government decision to close the hunting season after protected species were killed.

During the protest, attended by some 200 hunters, obscenities were hurled at the government and the Prime Minister. A the Times of Malta reporter and two photographers were manhandled.

Later, two birdwatchers were injured in a clash with hunters in Buskett. One of them suffered facial injuries when he was assaulted and the other was hit by a stone.

The hunters are: 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 initially pleaded 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.

However, in a sitting before Magistrate Anthony Vella, lawyer Lucio Sciriha informed the court that Arnold Farrugia, Alan Mizzi, Gabriel Farrugia and Josmar Buhagiar wished to change their plea and enter an admission.

Arnold Farrugia was conditionally discharged for three years and fined €700 while Alan Mizzi was handed a two-year conditional discharge and a €100 fine for flinging a bottle. Gabriel Farrugia was placed on probation for three years and fined €700 for wielding an imitation shotgun. Josmar Buhagiar was conditionally discharged for a year.