Three men were remanded in custody yesterday after they all pleaded not guilty to various charges brought against them.

The men – Christian Grech, 25 from St Paul’s Bay, Charles Aquilina, 37 from Fgura and David Zerafa, 35 from Gharghur – pleaded not guilty, before Magistrate Silvio Meli, to human trafficking for prostitution purposes, on 3 May and before.

They also pleaded not guilty to encouraging people under

21 years of age and over to come to Malta for prostitution

purposes.

The three men also pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit a crime with locals and internationals, living off the earnings of prostitution and managing and running a brothel

Mr Grech and Mr Aquilina pleaded not guilty to the charges of seriously injuring Yaterina Peterina and allowing a property in San Gwann to be used as a brothel.

Mr Aquilina and Mr Zerafa were also accused of relapsing.

Police inspector Raymond Aquilina prosecuted. Dr Franco Debono appeared for Mr Grech, Dr Roberto Montalto appeared for Mr Aquilina and Dr Patrick Valentino appeared