A group of 29 Somali men, between the ages of 16 and 36 years, was charged with attempting to escape the Safi detention centre at around 3am, on Friday.

The group was charged with having caused damage to the property and taking part in a gathering of 10 people or more. They were said to have threatened a number of Armed Forces of Malta and Detention Services officers who were carrying out their duty.

The group also disobeyed legitimate orders and slightly injured a number of officers while throwing hard objects towards doors, courtyards, walls and other people’s property.

Legal aid Simon Micallef Stafrace, who represented the accused, did not contest the arrest, however noted that two of the men, Mohammed Nureddin and Abdalla Kahir Said, were to be transferred to an open centre in the coming days. Some group members were also underage.

While they were remanded in custody, the minors were to be segregated from adults.

Inspector Carol Fabri prosecuted.

Source: Malta Independent