A 29-year-old man from Valletta has been remanded in custody after being accused in court of having threatened a priest that he would burn him alive. He was also accused of vilifying the Catholic religion and interrupting a religious function.

The incident allegedly happened on April 1 at St Augustine Parish Church, Valletta.

Sources close to the case said that the accused, Stephen Nappa, had allegedly gone up to the parish priest, Fr Saviour Grima OSA, and initially demanded money.

Mr Nappa was also also accused of swearing in public, uttering vulgar words in church, breaching public peace and relapsing.

He pleaded not guilty.

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