VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Maltese court has rejected a request by two men accused of terrorism-related offences to call three imams as witnesses on Islamic religious symbols and practices ahead of their jury trial.

Farhan Mohammed Sheik and Abdullah Aliwi, who deny the charges, had asked the Criminal Court to hear testimony from Imams Moteb Haj, Mohammed Elsadi and Zakaria Khatib on the significance of Islamic hymns, materials and related conduct.

However, Judge Natasha Galea Sciberras ruled that the proposed testimony amounted to opinion evidence, which can only be provided by experts appointed by the court. She also held that the imams could not testify on the conduct of the accused and upheld the Attorney General’s objection.

The court likewise rejected a defence request for Ahmed Felah to testify about ISIS and his claim that members of his family had been killed in Syria, ruling that he was not a court-appointed expert.

A further request to hear reports by Police Inspector Glenn Attard, Europol official Sami Juhani Harmoinen and expert Keith Cutajar was also refused, as they may instead be called to testify in their capacity as court experts.

Sheik and Aliwi remain in custody after pleading not guilty to charges including disseminating terrorist material on social media, attempting to incite terrorist acts, encouraging terrorist activities, training people in the use of explosives and financing travel linked to terrorism.

Police also accuse the pair, who lived in Ħamrun and Paola, of associating with foreign nationals to commit criminal offences and organising or financing a criminal organisation.

The case stems from the reopening of a magisterial inquiry that previously led to the arraignment of seven other Syrians. Prosecutors said fresh evidence resulted in new charges against the two men, who allegedly entered Malta illegally.

The court also refused a request for their release on bail after the prosecution argued there was a risk of flight and confirmed that investigations involving around 30 other individuals are still ongoing.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews