A man currently held at Corradino under preventive arrest was arraigned on Tuesday, a year and three months after his alleged involvement in the violent armed hold-up at Diamonds International at Tignè Point.

Albanian Begtash Muka, 27, was taken to court from Corradino Prisons to face fresh charges linking him to the massive haul of some €333,000 worth of jewellery, none of which has been recovered. He is also accused of attempted murder.

The arraignment came about after DNA test results pointed in his direction, the prosecution explained.

The suspect’s brother, 23-year old Daniel Muka, had been arraigned in relation to the same armed robbery at the Tignè shopping mall back in October 2017, when two people were injured before the thieves fled the scene.

Lawyer Franco Debono contested the validity of Tuesday’s arrest, pointing out that the prosecution could have arraigned the suspect under writ of summons or by urgent summons.

However, prosecuting Inspector James Grech rebutted that the man had been arraigned now only because after the coup he had been in hiding and had been arraigned subsequently in relation to a separate offence.

In view of circumstances of case, the court, presided over by magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace, declared the arrest valid.

The man pleaded not guilty to a string of charges including knowingly placing the life of one victim in danger, aggravated theft and holding two persons against their will while carrying a weapon without a police licence.

He was remanded in custody.

Lawyer Amadeus Cachia was also defence counsel.