Top GWU official punched by former union employee

A top General Workers' Union official was punched in the face on Monday night by a former employee while having a drink at a Valletta coffee shop.

GWU deputy general secretary Geitu Mercieca said he was seated in a café in South Street with his back to the door at about 6 p.m. when the assailant walked in and punched him from the back, just grazing his face.

The man worked as a security guard with the GWU but was dismissed by the union's administration in December after it received reports of wrongdoing.

"I have reason to believe that his attack was motivated by the administration's decision," Mr Mercieca said without elaborating on the nature of the reports that led to the man's termination of employment.

Mr Mercieca said he did not react to the attack and immediately went to the Valletta police station to lodge a report with the aggressor running out of the café after him.

Eyewitnesses said a man who asked the aggressor to leave the café was pushed to the ground.

The aggressor was arrested by the police soon after and detained overnight. He is expected to be arraigned under arrest today, police sources said.