An Ethiopian man who was charged with aggravated theft of luggages, clothes, a laptop and other electronic devices refused legal representation in court today..

Kiflom Habtoum was arrested on 12 October at 10:30pm in a room at Le Meridien Hotel.

Habtoum refused a Maltese lawyer, requesting that his legal representative from Belgium defend him. The court reminded the accused that in order to practice in a Maltese court, the lawyer would need to acquire a warrant. He then refused representation all together.

A luggage full of the items that Habtoum is being accused of stealing was presented to the court. He insisted that the bag and the contents are his own private property.

When informed that he would not be granted bail and would have to remain in prison until his next court date in front of a different magistrate, he exclaimed ‘this is not justice’ and had to be removed from the courtroom.

The next hearing will take place on 29 October.