Matthew Grech, a member of the evangelical group River of Love, was charged Friday with violating Malta's homosexual conversion ban due to statements he made during a live-streamed conversation.

He is pleading not guilty.

Grech is accused of having promoted gay conversion therapy when appearing as guest on a PMnews Malta show.

PMnews founders Mario Camilleri and Rita Bonnici have also been charged with the offence.

Grech says he is a former gay man who “abandoned homosexuality” and volunteers with a gender confusion support group, Core Issues Trust.

Grech, 33, from Attard, Camilleri, 44, from Siggiewi and Bonnici, 45, from Qormi face the solitary charge of having allegedly promoted conversion practices in breach of the law.

Lawyer Emmy Bezzina, assisting Camilleri and Bonnici, informed presiding Magistrate Monica Vella that he had some 30 witnesses lined up.

The lawyer also argued that Grech should not be placed in the same position as the hosts and producers.

Parte civile lawyer Cedric Mifsud countered that all three accused had been together on the programme and the hosts had conducted the interview.

The court put off the case to June, allocating an entire sitting for all witnesses, both for the prosecution and the defence, to testify.

Inspector Roderick Attard prosecuted. Lawyers Frank Anthony Tabone Arthur Azzopardi and Jeanice Dalli assisted Grech. Lawyer Emmy Bezzina assisted Camilleri and Bonnici. Lawyers Cedric Mifsud and Ian Barbara appeared parte civile.