A defence lawyer yesterday complained that despite the case against former fugitive Fabio Psaila being declared closed, witnesses were still being produced.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi made the comment during proceedings in which Mr Psaila is pleading not guilty to the attempted murder of two policemen during a failed heist on the HSBC headquarters in 2010. He also denies trying to steal from a jeweller and his son in Attard.

Following the HSBC hold-up, Mr Psaila went into hiding and remained at large for some three weeks before handing himself in.

During the sitting yesterday two other accused, Darren Debono, also known as it-Topo, and Vincent Muscat, who also stands charged, in separate proceedings, with the attempted murder of the jeweller, chose not to testify. They invoked their right not to give evidence because they might incriminate themselves.

Lawyer and former Police Inspector David Gatt, who the police believe was the leader of the criminal gang behind the hold-ups, was called to testify but did not turn up.

He stands charged with a string of other theft-related charges.

Yesterday, Dr Azzopardi complained that the prosecution had declared their case closed in January and yet at every sitting, the police continued to bring forth witnesses and evidence.

Last month Mr Psaila was granted bail against a deposit of €5,000 and a personal guarantee of €20,000.

The case continues.