Two men who are facing criminal proceedings on a number of charges of money laundering, making false declarations, using false documents and defrauding Casino Di Venezia were granted bail yesterday against stiff bail conditions, including house arrest, a deposit of Lm5,000 and a personal guarantee of Lm15,000 each.

Fabio Zulian, 42, and Gaetano Caramazza, 58, from Italy and Nevio Barut, 44, from Slovenia, are accused of conspiracy to commit a crime, defrauding Vittoriosa Gaming Ltd of more than Lm1,000 and the possession and use of false documents during this month and earlier. They are also charged with receiving stolen goods.

Mr Zulian and Mr Caramazza are also accused of money laundering this month and earlier, while Mr Zulian is also accused of forging public documents.

Mr Barut was the only one to plead guilty to all the charges and has already been granted bail.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman granted Mr Zulian and Mr Caramazza bail after they had spent 20 days in preventive custody. She warned them not to leave the flat they are renting in St Julian’s except to shop for their day-to-day needs twice a week.

She also warned them that if they were to abscond, a European Arrest Warrant would be issued against them and they will be re-arrested and brought back to Malta to continue facing these criminal proceedings.

The court heard that Mr Zulian has debts amounting to over e1.5 million with Casino Di Venezia in Italy and various other foreign casinos.

Police inspector Antonovitch Muscat prosecuted.

Dr Joseph Brincat and Dr Stefano Filletti appeared for Mr Zulian, Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Veronique Dalli appeared for Mr Caramazza, and Dr Duncan Borg Myatt appeared for Mr Barut. Dr Gianella Caruana Carrun appeared in parte civilie for Vittoriosa Gaming Ltd and Dr Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the Attorney General.