Man charged with murder after 'road-rage' shooting of Bidnija neighbour

A 46-year-old man has been charged with murder in an apparent road-rage shooting that left a businessman dead. 

Mohamed Hamdan, a Libyan national born in Syria but living in Bidnija, was driving the wrong way down a one-way road when he was involved in a collision with Jean Paul Busuttil on Sunday, a court heard.

The accident led to an argument between the two. 

The accused, who works as a driver, left the scene on his son's motorcycle and returned three minutes later with a weapon, which he used to shoot Busuttil, an inspector testified. The victim later died from his injuries.

Inspector Kurt Colombo Zahra told the court that Hamdan admitted to carrying out the shooting when he was confronted by a police officer on the scene. But the accused denied all charges when he appeared in court on Monday. 

Victim Jean Paul Busuttil, left, was shot dead on Sunday. Photo: Facebook/Jonathan Borg

Zahra said police received a report around 6.30am on Sunday of a collision between Hamdan and Busuttil. 

An argument ensued in the presence of the LESA official, who had attended the collision on Triq il-Konkos, Bidnija and was recording the parties' accounts of the incident. 

Hamdan left the scene on his son’s motorcycle and returned with the weapon. 

When a police sergeant arrived and asked Hamdan if gunshots were fired, Hamdan confirmed he had shot Busuttil, the inspector told the court. The suspect was arrested at the scene and taken in for questioning.

The inspector said the accused's son was not involved in the incident.

Hamdan was also charged with possessing a weapon during the commission of a crime, carrying it without a licence and destroying evidence.

He also stands accused of driving the wrong way down a one-way road, causing three individuals to fear that violence would be used against them and causing damage that exceeds €2,500.

Lawyer Mario Mifsud declared that there will be no request for bail at this stage. 

The court upheld the prosecution’s request for a protection order in favour of the victim’s daughter and other relatives of the victim. 

Times of Malta earlier reported that the search for the weapon is ongoing.

Busuttil, known as Ta’ Bandallu, was the first murder victim of the year. He was a member of the family known for import and distribution business Francis Busuttil & Sons.

The family was also instrumental in the establishment of the Foster Clarks factory in Malta in 1967.

In 2016, Busuttil founded his own company, Luxury Living Technologies.

Prosecutor Kaylie Bonett requested in open court that the rest of the case is heard behind closed doors. The court upheld the request, and the press was asked to leave for the remainder of Monday's sitting. 

Magistrate Gabriella Vella presided. Attorney General lawyers Mauro Abela and Kaylie Bonett prosecuted, assisted by police inspectors Kurt Colombo Zahra, Wayne Camilleri and Sarah Magri. Lawyers Mario and Nicholas Mifsud assisted the accused.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi, Jacob Magri and David Farrugia Sacco appeared for the victim’s family.