The Court of Magistrates yesterday ruled that there was sufficient prima facie evidence for a bill of indictment to be issued against two Italian men and a Slovenian accused of defrauding the Casino Di Venezia.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman issued the indictment as the compilation of evidence against the three men continued yesterday afternoon.

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 possession of and using false documents this month and before. They are also charged with receiving stolen goods.

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

Magistrate Hayman said not enough evidence was produced to prove the fraud charge with regard to Mr Caramazza however another fraud charge, regarding a stolen cheque, still stands.

Police Inspector Antonovitch Muscat prosecuted. Dr Donatella Frendo Dimech and Dr Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the Attorney General.

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 Giannella Caruana Curran appeared in parte civile for Vittoriosa Gaming Ltd.