A man claimed in court this morning that he had spent five days at Mount Carmel Hospital for no reason whatsoever, other than that the authorities had said he was not normal.

Palestinian Magdi Mohammed Ismael, who lives in Sliema, was giving evidence in the case against Madur Mavadi, who stands charged with causing damage during a disturbance at Safi migrants centre.

Mr Ismael, who lives in Sliema, told the court he used to live in the same room as Madur.

One day, they had an argument inside the room and the accused set fire to some mattresses.

He managed to get out but the accused wanted to stay there.

When asked by the police inspector if they had been given any medical treatment following the incident, Mr Ismael said none expect that he and the accused were taken to Mount Carmel Hospital where they spent five days.

He said he still did not know why they were taken there except the authorities had told them they were not normal.

Taking the witness stand, Capt Mark Anthony Borg said there had been a massive fire at Block C in Safi and had it not been for Sergeant Mark Dimech, who stands charged with murdering a Malian immigrant, the accused would have died.

The case continues.