A court today heard more details about the infamous Samurai sword attack that took place in Paceville last year, and which had left a bouncer injured.

Libyan national Mohamed Ali Ahmed Elmusraty is the third man to be charged over the May 2016 fight. Two others were arraigned in court last year. Elmusraty had fled Malta but was arrested in connection with a hold-up in Qawra in October of last year and was later identified as the man wielding the sword in the Paceville footage.

Before magistrate Doreen Clarke, police inspector Matthew Spagnol said the police had been alerted to a fight involving a group of Libyan men and bouncers at the Havana club. One of the men, later identified as the accused, was seen wielding the Samurai sword, which was never recovered. The man was wearing a mask. Another man in the group was holding a wooden club.

Three bouncers who were involved in the altercation also gave testimony. One said he was lucky to be alive and the sword missed his head after someone pulled him out of the way. The blade had instead made contact with a lighter in his pocket, which had exploded, causing him to suffer minor burns.

The bouncer said a group of Arabs had come at them. One had his face covered and was carrying a large sword. “He would have killed me had the sword hit me on the head,” the told the court.

The witness recognised the accused in court, saying that he and his friends were known troublemakers.

The group had been kicked out three times, the witness said. “They were at a table drinking at Deja Vu. All of a sudden they smashed the tables and glasses and left.”

Later on the men were refused entry into the same club. A short time later the men came back, armed.

His account was corroborated by another bouncer, who pointed at the accused and said the man had hit his friend with the sword in the leg.

Another bouncer said there would always be a fight when this particular group of Libyans showed up.

The case continues.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Angie Muscat are appearing for the accused.