The man accused of placing an explosive device outside the Labour Party headquarters last year allegedly drew a bomb diagram while in prison, a court heard on Tuesday.

David Brincat, now 20, was arraigned in May 2024 and charged with multiple serious offences, including terrorism-related crimes. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody.

Brincat was arrested after an explosive device was found inside a garbage bin outside the PL headquarters on 30 May 2023. The incident triggered a large-scale police operation. Brincat was later found in a Ħamrun garage where officers discovered TATP - an extremely volatile explosive often associated with terrorist attacks. Residents living above the garage were evacuated as a precaution.

During the latest sitting before Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi, inmate Mario Testa testified that on 25 June 2024, he found a piece of paper on his bunk bed that appeared to contain a recipe and diagram for a bomb. Testa, who shared a bunk with Brincat in a 16-man dormitory, said he believed it belonged to Brincat because the accused had previously spoken about his interest in chemistry. Testa insisted he had no involvement in what was drawn on the paper.

A prison officer also testified, confirming that Testa immediately handed the paper to officers on duty. The defence stressed that in such a large dormitory, anyone could have placed the paper on Testa's bed, arguing that the discovery could not automatically be linked to Brincat.

Earlier this year, the court rejected a request for Brincat to attend a residential rehabilitation programme outside Mount Carmel Hospital.

The proceedings were adjourned to next month.

The prosecution is being led by AG lawyers Kaylie Bonett and Joseph Camilleri Azarov, together with Inspectors Wayne Camilleri and Lydon Zammit. Brincat is represented by lawyers Nicholas Mifsud, Mario Mifsud, Lara Attard, and legal procurator Colin Galea.