A man has been remanded in custody after he was arraigned on charges of making threats and spitting at a man in public.
Accused Khalid Ahmed Mohammad Ashtani, 40 from Libya and living in Birzebbugia, was charged with threatening a Maltese man, causing him fear that violence would be used against him, failing to obey police orders and spitting at the man.
Magistrate Joseph Mifsud was asked to provide for the safety of the two men.
Legal Procurator Peter Paul Zammit contested the validity of the arrest.
Inspector Roderick Attard explained that the arrest happened after the police had ordered him not to approach the victim but the man had persisted. The victim said his presence was one of intimidation, waving a glass around.
Zammit argued that the arrest was unfounded at law and unnecessary. The police had investigated but had found no proof.
He entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the accused and requested bail.
The prosecution however objected as he had already ignored the police once and spoken to the victim. In 17 years in Malta he has had no trouble with police, argued the defence.
Bail was refused.