A man who was arrested after a six-hour standoff with police in Pieta` on Sunday was been charged with a string of offences, including threatening officers with a firearm, illegal firearms possession and animal cruelty.

The case happened on Sunday, when 38-year-old Serbian national Srdjan Stevanovic barricaded himself inside the Qrejten Street residence and refused to give himself up. He was subdued after members of the Special Intervention Unit threw flashbangs inside the house.

Police officers found a stash of loaded weapons. One of the policemen was attacked by a dog, which had to be tranquilized.  

Stevanovic was arraigned before Magistrate Astrid May Grima. He was charged with a total of 11 offences, which also included the breach of previous bail conditions. He pleaded not guilty but did not request bail.

The court ordered that the accused be given medical and psychological assistance. He is being held at the forensic unit at Mount Carmel Hospital.

The prosecuted was led by inspectors Lydon Zammit, Shawn Pawney and Jonathan Ransley.