The 18-year-old-teenager who was arrested in connection to a makeshift explosive device that was found nearby the Labour Party Headquarters in Hamrun on the 30th of May now faces charges included the manufacturing, possession, and transportation of explosives with the intention of destabilising the country’s fundamental structures.

Investigators working on the case believe that the suspect, identified as David Brincat from Santa Venera, also planned on targeting other buildings, such as the Parliament building in Valletta as well as two pharmacies in Santa Venera and Birkirkara.

Brincat had been arrested overnight after being tracked down inside a Santa Venera garage after having allegedly been spotted hurriedly leaving following his placing of the device outside the PL Headquarters.

Following his arrest, the suspect was accompanied by police to a health centre for treatment, from which he was then referred to Mater Dei, and then to Mount Carmel. The youth was initially cooperative with authorities, but began aggressively lashing out while being transported to the health centre and had to be restrained by officials, even acting out towards the medical staff.

Brincat’s lawyer made a request in court for three psychiatrists to be appointed in order to assess the youth’s mental state at the time of when the alleged offences took place. This request was not upheld, and Brincat was already certified by a psychiatrist as being fit for interrogation and trial.

The accused pleaded not guilty to a number of charges on Thursday evening. In addition to the aforementioned charges, he was also charged with handling explosives, training third parties in the use of explosives or weapons, threatening to carry out a terrorist attack, attempted grievous bodily harm, as well as causing third parties to fear violence and possessing pornographic material concerning minors under the age of fifteen. Additional charges are related to the manufacturing, storing, and transportation of gunpowder without the required licences.

Presiding magistrate Giannella Camilleri Busuttil issued a protection order in respect of the accused’s victims, which means that the accused cannot approach or contact these individuals. This order will remain effective until the final judgement is delivered.