Inmate accused of fatal Żurrieq heist sets fire to his prison mattress
Fire broke out in the cell belonging to Zouhair Hadoumi
A prisoner charged over a botched Żurrieq robbery that ended in the death of a jeweller set fire to his mattress in his prison cell on Sunday night, sources said.
Zouhair Hadoumi was taken to hospital after the incident at around 9pm on Sunday but was discharged and returned to Corradino Correctional Facility.
The fire is not believed to have led to any injuries and was put out by prison officials shortly afterwards.
It is understood Hadoumi used matches to set the mattress alight.
Hadoumi is currently charged with his role in a 2023 botched robbery at a Żurrieq shop, which led to the death of 67-year-old jeweller Joseph Carabott.
During the botched heist, Hadoumi’s associate Mohamed Anas Boualam beat Carabott in the face with a knife handle, as Hadoumi pinned him down.
Carabott was left with brain injuries following the assault. He died two years later.
Boualam was eventually jailed for 32 years, while another associate, Donna Sciberras, was jailed for 28 years after admitting her role in the robbery.
Hadoumi, 28, continues to deny the charges.