Lawyer Gianella DeMarco, representing Romanian Alexander Onofrei, who stands accused of trafficking two Romanian women for sex and living off their earnings, today requested that her client is granted bail. He has been in jail ever since he was arrested on 9 September.

She said that the Attorney General needed change his anti human rights mentality and not object to bail on the basis that the accused has no Maltese ties whatsoever.

"Those who made the allegations against my client have testified and no longer live here. The AG's objection that there are no ties with Malta does not make any sense as being Romanian is also being a European and this is what the AG's office must understand," she said.

A decision is to be taken tomorrow on whether or not he should be granted bail.

During today's sitting, one of four witnesses recounted that Onofrei treated his alleged victims relatively well.

Prosecuting officer Sylvana Briffa explained to the court that initially a report had been lodged at the Qormi police station by one of two women, Pina Anisoara, who lived with Alex, that he was physically abusing the other woman, Mariaca Daresco. On such information, Vice Squad officers went to the Qormi residence where the alleged abuse was reported to be happening. From the investigations conducted, it turned out that both the women were potential victims of human trafficking and prostitution. The minor who lived in the same household as the aggressor, the daughter of Anisoara, had no involvement but she was taken to a shelter in a bid to protect her.  

Inspector Briffa said that the women said that Alex was desperate for money and created a website to promote their 'services' without their consent.

Romanian born Daniela Haralampi, a witness, said she has been in Malta since April. She said she came to Malta with Alex Onofrei for a vacation. She used to live in Qormi with her boyfriend at one point in time (the same residence as the one Alex lived in) but then stayed at an apartment in Qawra by herself. When she lived in Qormi she stayed with another woman as well but she could not recall her name.

She said she worked in a restaurant at the time but now works at a retail outlet. When asked by the prosecuting officer what her relationship is with Alex, she replied: "We are friends; I have known him for a long time." She said that she got to know the two women through him. She said she lost contact with them and the last time she saw them was in August.

Cross examined by Dr DeMarco, Ms Haralampi said that to her knowledge, Mariaca was Alex's girlfriend. "Alex never hit the women but had arguments as is normal in every relationship, at least in my presence," she said. "Both the women shouted back at Alex every time he raised his voice with them."