Two Libyans were yesterday charged with attempted murder after attacking three bouncers of a Paceville club in retaliation for being expelled after allegedly damaging the premises.

Ramzi Abdulhafid Ib Abukem, who has no fixed address, and Ibrahim Ben Jeddi of Swieqi – who were on the run until Wednesday – were arraigned yesterday before Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona. The two defendants, who are both 34, pleaded not guilty but were denied bail.

Sources said the two men were apprehended during a police search at two apartments in San Ġwann and Swieqi. At the time of writing, a third man, allegedly also involved in the incident, was still at large. Mr Abukem, who has refugee status, had been on the Libyan authorities’ wanted list but it was not clear on what grounds, the sources said.

Apart from the attempted murder charge, the Libyans were also accused of attempted grievous bodily harm, slightly injuring two bouncers, and conspiring to commit murder.

During submissions for bail, lawyer Kathleen Grima, who appeared for Mr Abukem, accused the prosecution of blowing the case out of proportion saying the attempted murder charges were excessive.

The court, however, denied bail, as soon as police inspector Matthew Spagnol pointed out that the men had gone into hiding following the attack.

Lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace appeared for Mr Jeddi.