A 36-year-old man from Attard is in police custody in connection with a stabbing incident in Ta’ Qali, which left a Bulgarian national with serious injuries.

The police were informed, at around 11.15pm on Thursday, that a man was lying in a pool of blood in the car park located next to the national football stadium in Ta’ Qali. The man was given first aid by an off-duty police constable.

He was later taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance.

His car was found in the entrance to a nearby field. Traces of blood were found nearby, and the area was sealed off for evidence collection.

Members of the Rapid Intervention Unit mounted a search for the aggressor, who was ultimately found hiding in the common area of a block of flats in Attard, at around 6.45am.

The man had some injuries on his legs, likely caused during the incident. He was arrested and taken to the police lockup in Floriana for questioning.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella is leading an inquiry. The police Major Crimes Unit and district police are also investigating.