The police have arraigned the committee members of the Peace Band Club of Naxxar following the discovery of fireworks in a basement there last Saturday.

All pleaded not guilty and were granted bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000 each and a deposit of €250 each.

Carmel Grech (President), Victor Gauci, (secretary), Louis Bugeja, Edward Azzopardi, Mary Chetcuti, Anthony Cauchi, Joseph Martin Camilleri, Raymond Chetcuti, Ivan Gauci, David Sammt and Joseph Buhagiar were accused of the importation and possession of explosive material, illegal storage of dangerous material and lack of observance of regulations on clubs.

The defence team made up of Stephen Tonna Lowell, Joe Giglio, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and Martin Fenech said that these are all good family people with a clean police record and there was no reason for them to be remanded in custody.

Dr Giglio told the court how the fireworks were hidden behind a wardrobe and the committee members did not known about any fireworks being hidden.

Dr Fenech said that in the first committee meeting after the fatal explosion two months ago the committee had discussed the case and appealed to anybody having any information of hidden fireworks to come forward.

Magistrate Edwina Grima in granting bail said she had taken into consideration that the club had been closed on the orders of Inquiring Magistrate Miriam Hayman and the Commissioner of Police.

Inspectors Elton Taliana and Nicolai Sant prosecuted.

Mark Agius, who is club administrator, was arraigned separately. He also pleaded not guilty and was granted bail under the same conditions.