Ten hunters were yesterday granted bail after more than 10 days in custody over their involvement in a protest following the government’s decision to suspend the hunting season.

The hunters, some of whom were charged with assaulting a Times of Malta reporter and two cameramen, were granted bail after Magistrates Antonio Vella and Aaron Bugeja upheld their request now that most witnesses had testified in court.

The protest, held on September 21, Independence Day, saw about 200 hunters marching through Valletta. It was sparked by the government’s decision to close the hunting season temporarily following the killing of a number of protected species.

Requests upheld as most witnesses had testified in court

Magistrate Bugeja presided over the case of Christian Aquilina, 26, from Birkirkara, who stands charged with uploading a Facebook post on the protest before it took place.

He is pleading not guilty to conspiring to commit a crime, inciting others to break the law, inciting them to disrespect the government and failing to inform the Police Commissioner about the protest.

He was granted bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €2,000.

In a separate sitting, Magistrate Antonio Vella granted bail to: Alan Mizzi, 22, from Żebbuġ (Gozo); Oliver Borg, 42, from Marsascala; Krist Callus, 24, from Żurrieq; Brian Grech, 21, from Rabat; David Spagnol, 44, from Marsascala; Simon Camilleri, 26, from Żabbar; Arnold Farrugia, 21, from Dingli; Gabriel Farrugia, 19, from Mosta; and Josmar Buhagiar, 28, from Żabbar.

All nine are pleading not guilty to conspiring to commit a crime, inciting others to break the law, insulting and shouting threatening words at the Prime Minister, forming part of an illegal protest during which they showed disrespect towards the government, making obscene gestures and breaching the peace.

They were granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €3,000.