Homeless man charged with threatening five police officers
Man tells court he could not understand why he was being arraigned under arrest
A 29-year-old man told court on Monday afternoon that he could not understand why he was being arraigned under arrest.
Usam Abdullahi Sohdal, a Libyan-born unemployed man, was accused of threatening two police sergeants and three constables on Sunday. He was also accused of disobeying legitimate police orders, of not having the means to sustain himself, living an idle and vagabond life, as well as loitering in Marsa.
Police inspector Ian Vella explained that officers were carrying out patrols in Marsa when they noticed the accused.
They asked for his details to be able to fine him for loitering, but the man refused to give them his details. He was arrested and taken to the police station, where he continued to complain before insulting and threatening the police.
Through his lawyer, the man initially pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court then explained the legal consequences of the guilty plea, and the man asked to speak in court.
“I am here for nothing. They found me inside a gazebo. I cannot understand why I am here,” Sohdal said.
The court, in view of his assertion, did not accept the plea, and the man was remanded in custody. The case will be assigned according to the law.
Magistrate Giannella Camilleri Busuttil presided.
Police inspector Ian Vella prosecuted, while legal aid lawyer Ingrid Zammit Young assisted the accused.