A man admitted to the police that he had stabbed a Libyan man who expected cocaine for free, an inspector told the court this evening. The two had also argued over a woman.
Police Inspector Daniel Zammit, who investigated the stabbing incident, said Noel Farrugia admitted to stabbing Libyan Faiz Omar el Sallak, known as Il-Faiz, in the evening of July 22, 2010.
He said he told the police that he had a cocaine and heroin addiction and that on the night in question, he was in his apartment when Mr el Sallak expected to get drugs without paying.
The alleged victim also got frustrated because he was trying to sell a PlayStation console and expected the full price.
Inspector Zammit was testifying during the first day of Mr Farrugia’s trial by jury.
Mr Farrugia, 35, from Marsa, also known by the nickname Il-Giza, stands accused of the attempted murder of Libyan Faiz Omar el Sallak, known as Il-Faiz, and with being in possession of an illegal weapon.
Inspector Zammit said that on the evening in question, he was informed by Mater Dei Hospital that a person had been dropped off outside the Emergency Department by a private car after he suffered a stab wound.
“I went there and found the victim, Mr el Sallah, a Libyan national who has been in Malta for several years. He was on the stretcher and had his bowels coming out of his abdomen. There were many doctors and nurses around him trying to keep them in until he was taken to the operating theatre,” the inspector said.
He said that the victim at first he was reluctant to speak but then told him he had an argument with Noel Il-Giza over drugs and a woman and that he got stabbed in a flat in Marsa.
Emergency doctor Karl Refalo explained how Mr el Sallak had walked into the Emergency Department with his bowel in his hands after having been stabbed on the left side of his stomach. He said it was such a serious injury that he was immediately taken to the operating theatre.
The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael Mallia, continues today.
The prosecution is led by lawyers Vincienne Vella and Kevin Valletta from the Attorney General's office while lawyers Edward Gatt and Mark Vassallo are defending the accused.