A Libyan migrant who was arraigned in court charged with attacking a number of staff members at the Hal Far open centre was remanded in custody.

Inspector Johann Fenech accused 32-year-old Khallefah Aljeelai Aljamie Alhaaj from Benghazi, of causing slight injuries to a guard. He was also accused of attacking four other colleagues. One of the victims was a woman, believed to be social worker.

The accused appeared before Magistrate Joe Mifsud.

Alhaaj was also accused of carrying a knife in public without a license and of being drunk while disturbing public peace.

The Magistrate said he was very much aware of the priceless work and hard work done by members of the AWAS foundation (Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers). “I have seen their work and dedication first hand. An assault on them is simply not acceptable,” the Magistrate insisted.

Defence lawyer Patrick Valentino explained that an argument erupted in which a man was injured. He said that the victim was bruised – “Are we going to send a man in prison because he caused some bruises?”, he asked.

The prosecution told the court it will not object to a suspended sentence if the accused pleads guilty to the charges.

But the Magistrate told the prosecution and the defence that they can agree as much as they like, but he will not accept that a person receiving help from local authorities attacks the people who are trying to lend a hand in a difficult situation.

The defence tried to show that the attack was not very severe, arguing that only the guard was injured and not the social worker. But the magistrate insisted that this does not make any difference. “What are we saying? That an attack on a security guard is less serious?”

The Libyan man pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court ordered to man to be remanded in custody while the case is assigned to a magistrate.