Two Syrian men who yesterday assaulted a policeman who stopped them in Attard, did so out of fear of being sent home, their legal counsel told a court this morning.

Al Saleh Kasem, 26 and Maher Hamed, 18 pleaded not guilty to slightly injuring traffic policeman Robert Vassallo and trying to seriously injure him.

They were accused of having driven their van at the policeman after they were stopped for a traffic contravention. They were also accused of assaulting the policeman, damaging his motorcycle and disobeying police orders.

Mr Kasem was also charged with driving without a licence and insurance cover, driving dangerously and speeding.

Defence counsel George Cutajar said while not trying to justify the assault, one had to keep in mind where these two men came from. He said both of them are in Malta legally as refugees and they had feared being sent back to their country.

Police Inspector Elton Taliana said that one could not have a situation where people assaulted the police.

The accused were granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000 each. 

See story at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120528/local/traffic-policeman-assaulted.421660