Wednesday, January 22, 2014
by: Chris Mangion
A Somali who was robbed and assaulted by two other migrants recounts in court how he was beaten unconscious and nobody heeded his call for help.
Recognising the accused as one of his assailants, Somali national Hussein Mohamed Abikar recounted in court how he was beaten until he lost consciousness in a robbery on 12 October last year.
Abikar explained that he lives at the Hal Far Open Centre and normally purchased food from a man called Mario.
While he was on the way to buy supplies, two men approached him and asked for money. "I replied I could not give them anything as the money I had was to purchase my food. The other man asked me for a lighter but he grabbed me and held a knife to my back", the victim said pointing towards 18-year-old Abdifaid Mahahdi Mahamud who stood in the dock. Mahamud is also a Somali national.
With a cut below his left eye still visible, the Somali likened his mishap to a movie scene. Hussein Mohamed Abikar recounted that while the accused held him the other man rifled through his pockets.
After taking his money one of the man started beating him. "I shouted for help, but none came. Then I passed out". They made away with €225 and left Abikar for dead. When he returned to his senses the Somali was treated at the Floriana Health Centre.
Asked by prosecuting Inspector Fabian Fleri if he could identify the man who assaulted him, the victim said Mahamud held a knife to his throat but the other man was not in the hall.
The Inspector showed Abikar a suspect's photo which was immediately identified as the second aggressor. The police are on the look out for the second man who is still on the loose.
Abdifaid Mahahdi Mahamud is charged with holding an open centre resident against his will, injuring him and being in possession of a weapon without a license. He requested which was objected to by the prosecution and denied by the court due to traceability issues. The accused claimed he lived in Xlendi, Gozo but needed to confirm his actual address.
Magistrate Edwina Grima ordered the verification of the address.