Mohammed Gharsalla, 29 from Birzebbuga, is standing trial for conspiring to traffic drugs in October 2000. In September 2000, Mohammed Abusetta had been apprehended by the Drug Squad at the Malta International Airport and half a kilo of cannabis resin was found in the false bottom of the suitcase he was carrying.

Abusetta was charged and when his case was heard in front of the magistrates’ court, he had said the drugs were intended for Gharsalla. Abusetta is currently serving a 10-year jail term for importation of drugs. He had promised to testify against Gharsalla when the case went to trial, but yesterday denied Gharsalla’s involvement in the case.

At yesterday’s sitting, the prosecution requested that Abusetta’s testimony be read in court. Presiding judge Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono ordered Aaron Haroun to be Abusetta’s interpreter as he does not understand Maltese.

At first Abusetta said everything in the statement was the truth. As the statement was being read, the witness asked to comment several times and every time claimed what he had said under oath in the magistrates’ court four years ago was a lie.

Prosecuting officer senior counsel to the Republic Mark Said asked the court to take note of the perjury committed and take the necessary steps against Abusetta. The witness claimed he was ready to accept the consequences of his actions.

In his previous testimony, Abusetta had said the accused sent him to Morocco to pick up a suitcase, which he later discovered would be carrying cannabis. In court yesterday, he said the drugs were not for Gharsalla but for a man named Shaman who lived in Libya.

Four years ago, Abusetta had said he was afraid of Gharsalla but yesterday said it was the man in Libya he was scared of. Judge Galea Debono questioned this by asking him, “so you are more afraid of someone in Libya than of someone being held in the same prison as you?” Abusetta responded and said Gharsalla was not in the same section of the Corradino Correctional Facility and therefore he had no reason to be afraid of him.

The witness denied many other episodes read out to him from his previous testimony. He kept repeating that the allegations he had made against Gharsalla were all lies and he said he did not want to make the same mistake and lie while being under oath again. The case continues this morning. Dr Anglu Farrugia appeared for the accused.