Three Somali men and a Sudanese were yesterday accused of raping a Maltese woman outside the Marsa open centre for asylum seekers on Monday.

The men are: Muhammed Ali Hasan, 28; Abuker Ahmed Abdilrahman, 18; Omar Osman Omar, 28, and Anwar Otman Hasan, also 28.

The four men were accused of raping the woman, holding her against her will, forcing her to do something that offended her sex as well as violently and indecently assaulting her. They were also charged with slightly injuring her.

Mr Abdilrahman and Mr Hasan were further accused of attempting to seriously injure Hakim Babngida Kasim on Monday between 2am and 3am when they allegedly attacked him with a sharp and pointed instrument as well as threatening and assaulting him.

Mr Abdilrahman alone was also accused of stealing several items from the Appogg Marsa open centre on 24 and 25 February and damaging an office at the same centre, receiving stolen goods as well as possessing a knife.

Before Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona, the four men pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. They were remanded in custody.

Police Inspectors Jesmond Borg and Louise Calleja prosecuted while Dr Richard Sladden appeared for the accused.