Two police officers are to be charged in connection to an incident back in June 2020, when a man died in the police lock-up just hours after being arrested.

The 35-year-old man from Mtarfa - Richmond Tong - had been arrested by members of the Rapid Intervention Unit at around 12.30am after he was found to be in possession of drugs. He was then taken to the Floriana police headquarters for questioning. At 3.40am on 24 June 2020, officers stationed at the lock-up noticed that the man was suffering from a fit. Medical assistance was called, and an automated external defibrillator was also used, but the man died some time later.

In a statement on Tuesday, the police said that after a magisterial inquiry and the investigations tied to this case concluded, two police officers were suspended and criminal accusations against them were issued, through a citation.

The case will start to be heard in the coming days. "At this stage it would not be prudent for the police force to give any further comments regarding this case, so as not to prejudice the course of justice."

No details of the officers were provided.