A 22-year-old Albanian man, Daniel Muka, was arraigned in court charged with the attempted murder of RIU officers.

The man was also charged with violently resisting arrest by popice officers, and threatening the officers. He was also charged with possession of cocaine and being in possession of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody.

Muka is one of two Albanians who was arrested Thursday, on suspicion of being involved in the robbery that took place in a Sliema jewellery shop last week.

Police said on Friday that officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit followed two suspicious persons in Bay Street (Triq il-Bajja), St Julian's at 11.30pm on Thursday. The two Albanians, suspected to have been involved in the Sliema robbery, were approached by the police. When they were informed that they were being arrested, one of them allegedly drew a firearm, pointed it at the officers and pulled the trigger. No shots were however fired as the weapon malfunctioned, the police said.

The Albanians, aged 25 and 26, were arrested.

The two police officers were treated for slight injuries at the Floriana health centre.