Ahmed Adam Idriss Albarjo, a 30-year-old Sudanese national residing in Żejtun, has been charged in connection with the widely publicized New Year’s Eve incident in Paceville, where he was filmed being kicked and beaten by bouncers.
Albarjo appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing slight injuries to Riald Gragjevi, a 21-year-old Albanian bouncer involved in the altercation.
The charge specifies the alleged use of a sharp or pointed instrument. Gragjevi, one of the alleged assailants, was arraigned on Thursday, while another bouncer, Ryan Zammit, faced charges on Friday for injuring Albarjo.
Both Gragjevi and Zammit were denied bail, with authorities keeping them in police custody as investigations unfold.
The incident gained widespread attention when a video, captured by an eyewitness, circulated online, depicting the brutal assault on Albarjo. In response to the charges, Albarjo claimed that he had thrown a piece of glass at the bouncers in self-defense. Gragjevi, on the other hand, argued that he struck Albarjo in self-defense after the latter threw a bottle at him.
In addition to the charges related to the altercation, Albarjo faces accusations of wilful breach of public peace. Despite his plea, he was also denied bail during his court appearance on Saturday morning.
Inspector Brian Xuereb led the prosecution, while lawyer Roberta Bonello represented Albarjo. Lawyers Shazoo Ghaznavi and Jessica Formosa appeared as parte civile in the proceedings.
The court proceedings were presided over by Magistrate Yana Mucallef Stafrace.
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