Libyan men allegedly involved in a knifing incident in Swieqi on January 30 gave the police conflicting versions as to how the argument which led to a fight was initiated, a police inspector testified in court today.
Prosecuting officer James Grech told Magistrate Josette Demicoli that Libyan national Mohammed Hafed al-Araa dashed into the St Julian's police station in a state of shock, informing the police that an argument had erupted in a Swieqi flat and that his friend was being assaulted by two other Libyans.
The police accompanied Mr al-Araa to the area where they found Wadea Al Maghrbi lying unconscious in a pool of blood in Triq il-Keffa. Mr Al Maghrbi's friend, Mohammed Abdul Hafid Abukem, was standing next to him.
Mr al-Araa indicated to the police that the two men were the ones who had assaulted his flatmate Zouhir Elfezqa. Mr Elfezqa at the time was not present at the scene of crime but later communicated with Mr al-Araa, telling him that he was at a nearby apartment.
The police searched Mr Abukem and located a bread knife on his person, Insp. Grech said. The police also followed the trail of blood which led them to an apartment in Triq is-Sidra, home to Mr Elfezqa and Mr al-Araa. Another pool of blood could be seen in the living room.
The police first interrogated Mr al-Araa, who appeared to be an eyewitness to the first part of the argument, the inspector noted. He told the police that he had been sleeping in the living room while Mr Elfezqa was sleeping in his bedroom.
At around 8am, he heard a knock and, upon opening the door, found Mr Al Maghrbi and Mr Abukem armed with a knife and a metal pipe. They silently walked inside, with Mr Al Maghrbi proceeding to beat Mr Elfezqa with the pipe and to drag him by the clothes together with Mr Abukem.
Terrified, Mr al-Araa ran out to inform the police.
He told the police that the two other men were formerly their friends and had no explanation for what happened, except for the fact that they reeked of alcohol. His version of events were corroborated by Mr Elfezqa, Insp. Grech said.
Asked how Mr Al Maghrbi ended up suffering a life-threatening stab wound to the thigh, Mr Elfezqa said that while the two were grappling with each other, he twisted Mr Al Maghrbi’s hand as he held the knife and punctured his thigh.
Mr Abukem provided the police with a radically different version of events, saying that he and Mr Al Maghrbi had enjoyed a night in Paceville and went to sleep at Mr Elfezqa’s place. However, the latter emerged from the balcony and challenged him to a fight.
Both went upstairs and as soon as the door was opened, Mr Al Maghrbi was stabbed immediately. Mr Abukem claimed they did not enter the residence but remained outside. He could not explain why a pool of blood was found inside the living room.
The injured man, Mr Al Maghrbi, gave yet another different version, saying that he was also stabbed a second time by Mr al-Araa.
“But experts confirmed that he only suffered one stab wound, despite him trying to involve al-Araa,” Insp. Grech said.
The inspector’s words were also reconfirmed by prosecuting officer Elton Taliana.
Mr Elfezqa stands charged with attempted murder and inflicting grievous injuries to Mr Al Maghrbi.
Mr Abukem is accused of attempting to inflict grievous injuries to Mr Elfezqa, slightly injuring him, holding him against his will and carrying an unlicensed knife. Mr Al Maghrbi is charged with attempting to cause Mr Elfezqa grievous bodily harm, causing him slight injuries with a pointed weapon, holding him against his will, threatening him and possessing a weapon.
Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi, Martin Fenech and Giannella de Marco are appearing for the accused.
The case continues on February 23.