Two tourists arrested for reckless driving and sharing footage
The German driver and passenger who filmed the footage were arrested
Two German men have been arrested after videos of a group speeding and driving recklessly across Malta were widely shared on social media, with one held under a new law targeting people who film and promote dangerous driving online.
Police say the driver was tracked down through CCTV and arrested in St Julian's, while the passenger was held for allegedly filming and sharing the footage online.
The videos were shared on social media on Monday. In a statement on Tuesday, police said an investigation was launched immediately after they received numerous videos showing negligent driving across various roads in Malta.
The investigations led to the arrest of two men, the driver, 41 and a 39-year-old passenger who filmed the driving.
The vehicle, a Kia, was identified through CCTV footage, and following intensive investigations, the driver was identified inside an establishment in St Julian's. Police also arrested the passenger who allegedly filmed and shared the videos using his mobile phone.
The 41-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, while the 39-year-old passenger was arrested on suspicion of disseminating footage showing dangerous driving on social media.
The passenger was arrested based on a new legal amendment, which makes it illegal to produce or distribute material showing persons breaching traffic laws with the aim of normalising dangerous driving or encouraging others to do the same.
Police investigations are ongoing, while the two are expected to be brought to court under arrest.