Two men deny attempted murder in Ħamrun stabbing
Albanian nationals charged with stabbing a man twice outside Feel Lounge
Two Albanian nationals living in Malta have pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of a man who was allegedly stabbed twice earlier this month.
Besim Borici, 39, and 34-year-old Ergest Kashari were arraigned in court on Thursday afternoon.
Police inspector Sarah Kathleen Zerafa told the court that at around 3am on August 3, two Albanian men walked into the Ħamrun police station, one of them bleeding heavily. They asked for an ambulance, and the injured man was taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where doctors certified him to be in critical condition.
Officers later spoke to the man who had accompanied the victim. He said they had been at Feel Lounge, opposite the police station, and had been drinking when his friend stepped outside and did not return. When he went to look for him, he found him bleeding and rushed him to the station.
An inquiry was launched and police gathered CCTV footage showing an argument outside the bar. The suspects were identified, and the victim later confirmed that he had argued with them. Borici and Kashari were arrested on August 13.
Borici, a carpenter, and Kashari, an electrician, were charged with attempted murder, grievously injuring the victim, and breaching the public peace. Both pleaded not guilty.
Defence lawyer Franco Debono, appearing for Borici, requested bail, but prosecutor Jurgen Dalli objected, noting that the accused and the alleged victim were “best friends” who knew each other well, and that the victim and other civilian witnesses had yet to testify.
Debono countered that there had been no breach of bail or probation, that the accused is presumed innocent, and that evidence is being preserved in an ongoing inquiry, with the alleged victim already testifying before the inquiring magistrate. He also said Borici had lived in Malta for eight years and was supported in court by his wife.
Legal aid lawyer Nadya Fiott, representing Kashari, argued that her client could not be detained indefinitely while the victim remains in hospital.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Ann Marie Thake, denied bail given the seriousness of the charges and the early stage of proceedings.
A protection order was issued in favour of the victim, along with a ban on the publication of his name.
AG lawyers Jennifer Polidano and Jurgen Dalli prosecuted, assisted by inspector Sarah Kathleen Zerafa. Lawyers Franco Debono, Adreana Zammit, and Anthea Bonnici Zammit appeared for Borici, while Fiott represented Kashari.