Updated 11.30 pm

A teenager suspected of placing an explosive device inside a waste bin outside the Labour Party headquarters in Ħamrun has been charged with “attempting to destabilize the country’s fundamental structures.”

David Brincat, 18 and from St Venera, is also believed to have placed explosive devices outside two separate pharmacies. And investigators believe he also had other targets in mind, including Malta's parliament. 

Brincat was escorted to court late on Thursday evening to face terrorism-related charges, a week to date since the discovery of that explosive device.

He was arrested overnight after police tracked him down at a St Venera garage as the suspect who was allegedly seen running in the direction of Ħamrun after placing the bomb outside the Labour Party headquarters. 

Police investigations led to the identification of the suspect. 

When officers knocked at his parents’ home, they were told he would most likely be at the garage. 

That was where police found the suspect along with more explosive material inside the garage, explained the prosecution during Brincat’s arraignment.

Following his arrest, the youth was accompanied to a health centre for necessary treatment. He was subsequently referred to Mater Dei Hospital and later to Mount Carmel Hospital.

The patient was discharged on Wednesday after being duly certified by a psychiatrist. 

Further investigations appeared to indicate that there were other sites possibly targeted by the suspect, including Parliament.

Separate reports pointed at the youth as the suspect who allegedly placed explosives outside two pharmacies in St Venera and Birkirkara. 

Although the suspect initially cooperated with the arresting officers, he turned aggressive while being escorted to the health centre.

He continued to act aggressively and violently even towards the medical staff at the centre. 

On Thursday evening the teen pleaded not guilty to a raft of charges including manufacture, possession and transportation of explosives with the intention of seriously destabilizing the country’s fundamental structures. 

He was further charged with threatening to carry out a terrorist attack, handling explosives, training third parties in the use of explosives or weapons, attempting to place a bomb at two other properties as well as attempted grievous bodily harm. 

He was charged with causing third parties fear of violence and possessing pornographic material concerning minors under 15.

Other charges related to manufacture, storage and transportation of gunpowder without the necessary licences. 

His lawyer requested the court to appoint three psychiatrists to assess the accused’s mental state at the time of the alleged offences. 

However, that request was not upheld after the prosecution argued that it was premature.

Moreover, the youth had been certified as fit for interrogation and trial by a psychiatrist. 

The accused was remanded in custody. 

The court, presided over by magistrate Giannella Camilleri Busuttil, also issued a protection order in respect of the accused’s victims. 

That order was to remain effective until final judgment. 

AG lawyers Kaylie Bonett and Joseph Camilleri Azarov, together with police inspectors Wayne Camilleri and Lydon Zammit prosecuted.

Lawyers Nicholas Mifsud and Lara Attard were defence counsel.