All hell broke loose on Saturday night in Gżira when three Syrian men got caught up in a fight between more than 100 Libyans and Syrians, a court heard yesterday.

The three Syrians, construction workers Mohamed Alnaser, 35, Kasem Kasem, 34, both residing in Marsa, and Mamdouh Altlass, 27, living in Birkirkara were only acting in self-defence, their defence lawyer argued during their arraignment yesterday.

They pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring Libyan nationals Alktet Ali and Aiad Ali and slightly injuring Amge Moahmmed Jafan.

Lawyers Juliana Scerri Ferrante and Peter Paul Zammit told the court that their clients, one of whom ended up with a broken arm, were attacked near the Ali Baba Bar in Ponsonby Street, Gżira.

Dr Scerri Ferrante said there were about 102 Libyan men involved in the fight and from CCTV footage it was evident that a small argument grew to a point where all hell broke loose.

She said her clients had gone to pay some money to a Libyan man when this person told them: “I don’t want your money, I want to beat you up.”

Police Inspector Jesmond Micallef said the fight involved a lot of people and knifes and tools were allegedly used as weapons by both sides.

In requesting bail, the lawyers said their clients were all family men and had been living in Malta for the past 11 to 12 years.

Mr Alnaser’s wife, they said, had just given birth to twins on Sunday evening and that remanding not just him but any of the men in custody would not be ideal. Mr Alnasar missed the birth.

Mr Kasem, she added, also suffered a wound on his right side which was more than likely caused by a knife.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti granted them bail against a personal guarantee of €1,500 each.