An Armed Forces of Malta soldier has been cleared of assaulting a Liberian refugee and of inciting racial hatred after a magistrate ruled that the Liberian's allegations were not credible.

Jason Pisani, 34, of Valletta had been charged with threatening, assaulting and slightly injuring Musa Bagayoka, and inciting racial hatred in Sliema on April 1, 2005.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, presiding over the case, heard Mr Bagayoka explain how he had been in Malta for four years, two of which he had spent at the Safi detention centre where he got to know Mr Pisani.

On April 1, 2005, Mr Bagayoka claimed he was waiting at a bus stop in Sliema when Mr Pisani, who was with another soldier, went up to him and hit him.

He insisted that he had never had any previous clashes with Mr Pisani and did not have any trouble during his stay on the island. Mr Pisani denied Mr Bagayoka's allegations.

The magistrate also heard several AFM officers explain that, while in detention, Mr Bagayoka had been accused of making false allegations against soldiers.

On evaluating the evidence, the magistrate noted that Mr Bagayoka had tried to portray himself as a peaceful person when the evidence showed otherwise.

Apart from that, although he had alleged that he had been punched by Mr Pisani, he did not have injuries compatible with his allegation.

Magistrate Grixti ruled that the refugee's version was not credible and cleared Mr Pisani of all charges.

Police Inspector Stephen Gatt prosecuted.

Lawyers José Herrera and Roberto Montalto appeared for Mr Pisani.