Jurors in the trial of a Somali man accused of trying to kill a fellow countryman yesterday heard how the victim was stabbed so deeply with a screwdriver that it punctured his diaphragm and liver.

This shocking detail emerged as prosecuting lawyer Aaron Bugeja outlined the case and witnesses to the all-male panel.

Dr Bugeja said that on July 8, 2008, the victim, Somali Aboker Duale Mustafa, was in tent No. 17 at Ħal Far with another two men, Hassan Mohammed Fu’ Aad and Abdi Hayd Ibrahim.

He said that residing at the centre were a number of immigrants who would meet regularly but were from different tribes, so it was not uncommon for fights to break out among them.

The accused, Abdirahman Ahmed Mahmud, who had temporary humanitarian status, was convinced that the victim was part of a group that he had previously had a fight with and stabbed him twice in the back with a screw driver, Dr Bugeja alleged. The stab wound was so deep that he punctured his diaphragm and his liver, the lawyer said.

The weapon was never found.

The accused is pleading not guilty to trying to kill the victim, illegally carrying a weapon and breaching the peace.

In a statement, the victim, who has since left Malta, said he had no previous arguments with the accused and was about to go to sleep when he was attacked. In fact he was lying down. He added that he had no idea why he was stabbed. The case continues.

Lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace is appearing as legal aid.