Second man arraigned over Qormi stand-off

Mario Vella, 22, of Sta Venera was arraigned under arrest yesterday on charges connected to last week's stand-off in Qormi.

He was accused of complicity in the attempted murder of PS George Farrugia, inciting another person to try to kill PS Farrugia, threatening and assaulting police officers and disobeying police orders in Qormi late on Tuesday.

He pleaded not guilty.

Vella was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning after he had allegedly barricaded himself in the same house with Marco Pace, known as Il-Pinzell, after the latter had allegedly shot at his mother's door. Pace appeared in court late last Thursday accused in connection with the same incidents.

After his arrest in Qormi, Vella was taken to hospital to be treated for tear gas, which the police used during the stand-off. He was released from hospital on Saturday and was again arrested and arraigned yesterday morning.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano turned down a request for bail.

Police inspectors Jeffrey Cilia, Chris Pullicino and Maria Stella Cutajar prosecuted.

Lawyers Anglu Farrugia and Edward Gatt appeared for Vella.