A 21-year-old man from Żabbar has been charged with four terrorism-related offences following an investigation that began after police received confidential information about a Maltese national allegedly travelling to Syria for terrorist activities.

Daniel Spiteri, a clerk in the emergency department at Mater Dei Hospital, appeared under arrest before the Court of Magistrates on Friday where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The prosecution alleges that Spiteri was involved in offences relating to terrorist recruitment, training, travel and the dissemination of material intended to encourage terrorist activities.

Investigation began with confidential information received in May

The court heard that the police counterterrorism unit received information around May 2026 concerning a Maltese individual suspected of having travelled to Syria in connection with terrorist activities.

Investigators subsequently identified Spiteri as a person of interest.

As the investigation progressed, police also identified other individuals considered relevant to their inquiries.

A search warrant concerning Spiteri was obtained on 23 October.

Four days later, on 27 October, officers carried out a series of arrests in the early hours of the morning, including Spiteri's arrest at approximately 4.45am in Żabbar.

Investigators questioned Spiteri on the day of his arrest and took an initial statement from him.

The prosecution explained that police later sought an extension of his detention to allow further investigative work.

That request was granted, extending his detention by a further 48 hours.

During the sitting, defence lawyers questioned the investigating inspector about the arrests and the evidence gathered.

They initially asked how many individuals had been arrested as part of the operation.

The inspector declined to answer, maintaining that the question was not relevant to the proceedings against Spiteri.

The defence then sought information about what investigators had collected specifically in connection with the accused.

The inspector again objected on grounds of relevance.

The exchanges led to a tense disagreement in the courtroom, with defence counsel arguing that the questions were important because Spiteri had remained under arrest beyond the initial 48-hour period.

The lawyers maintained that the circumstances surrounding the extension of his detention warranted scrutiny.

Further questioning established that Spiteri had given two statements to investigators.

The inspector also confirmed that the accused had cooperated during questioning and had not caused difficulties when asked to answer questions.

Four terrorism-related charges

According to the charge sheet presented in court, Spiteri faces four counts under Malta's Criminal Code.

The first concerns allegedly recruiting or encouraging another person to engage in terrorist activities or travel for terrorism-related purposes.

The second relates to allegedly providing or receiving training involving explosives, firearms, other weapons, dangerous substances or specialised methods intended for use in terrorist activities.

A third charge concerns allegedly travelling, or attempting to travel, within or outside the European Union for purposes connected with terrorism, including preparation, participation or training.

The fourth alleges involvement in producing, distributing, supplying or making available material intended to encourage or assist terrorist activities.

The charges refer to alleged offences committed during October 2026 or in preceding years, potentially on different occasions.

The prosecution has also requested the confiscation of any objects or instruments connected with the alleged offences should Spiteri be convicted.

It is additionally seeking an order requiring him to pay applicable court-appointed experts' expenses in the event of a conviction.

No bail request

Spiteri pleaded not guilty to the charges. No application for bail was made during the sitting.

The prosecution is being conducted by Attorney General lawyers Dejan Darmanin and Mauro Abela, together with Police Inspectors Zachary Zammit and Mohammed Shurrab.

Spiteri is represented by defence lawyers Ismael Psaila and Amadeus Cachia.