Political rivalry between the two opposing Libyan governments of Tripoli and Tobruk was the reason behind yesterday's Swieqi stabbing incident, which sent a 25-year-old Libyan to hospital, the Times of Malta has learnt. 

The incident happened at about 8.30am in a residence in Triq is-Sidra, Swieqi. A towel and a shoe belonging to the victim were found on the blood-stained pavement a short distance away from the scene of the crime. The victim was left in a critical condition but he has since improved and is no longer in danger.

Meanwhile, two Libyans involved in this incident have been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to the charges brought against them before Magistrate Neville Camilleri.

Zouhir Elfezqa, 31, who lives in Swieqi, was this morning arraigned under arrest and charged with attempted murder and inflicting grievous injuries to  Wadea Al Maghrgi.

A second man,  21-year-old Mohammed Abdul Hafid Abukem, also of Swieqi, was separately charge, accused of attempting to inflict grievous injuries to  Mr Elfezqa, slightly injuring him, holding him against his will and carrying an unlicensed knife.

While Mr Elfezqa did not request bail, the court turned down Mr Abukem’s request for fear of tampering evidence or intimidating potential witnesses.

The prosecution was led by police inspectors James Grech and Elton Taliana. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi was defence counsel for Mr Elfezqa and parte civile  for him in the other case against Mr Abukem. Lawyer Martin Fenech was legal aid for Mr Abukem.