The compilation of evidence against David Briffa, a former council member of the hunters' lobby group FKNK, continued in court on Wednesday, where witnesses described how he was allegedly caught on film setting bird traps a day before the legal hunting season opened.

A wildlife crime officer from the NGO Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) testified and recounted how she observed a man preparing cages and two sets of trapping nets in a rural area. She told the court that she managed to film the entire sequence, explaining that once the setup was complete, the man entered a nearby hide. At that point, she contacted the police, who later arrived on site.

The witness added that officers returned to the location later that same day and informed her that they had found the same individual on site, together with a number of cages and two sets of nets.

Another witness testified that she received a phone call on the same day, informing her that birds confiscated from Briffa would be brought in for ring verification. She said she examined a total of 14 birds, including four finches and four chaffinches, as well as other species typically associated with olive groves. Some of the birds were ringed, while others were not, the court heard.

Briffa is facing charges which, upon conviction, could carry a fine of up to €5,000, along with the suspension of his hunting or trapping licence for between two and five years for a first-time offence.

The case also follows internal action taken by the hunting federation. In October 2024, FKNK president Lucas Micallef had announced that Briffa was removed from all administrative roles within the organisation.

The prosecution is being led by Inspector Eliott Magro, while lawyer Amadeus Cachia is appearing for the accused. Magistrate Anne Marie Thake presided over the sitting.