Court denies AG appeal for re-arrest of Qormi hold-up suspect, increases deposit to €5,000

The courts have denied an appeal by the Attorney General for the re-arrest of 46-year-old Libyan man Ismael Habesh, accused of being involved in an armed holdup on a Mercedes vehicle in Qormi in early September.

Habesh will continue to be out on bail, however Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi has hiked up the original deposit of €1,000, to €5,000 based on the circumstances of the case, including the man’s chequered criminal record.

Habesh, who is also awaiting trial over the murder of Simon Grech in Marsa 12 years ago, was released on bail earlier this month after he was arraigned over his alleged involvement in the Qormi hold up.

A court of Magistrates had initially granted the man bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €9,000, while also having to sign a bail book daily and observe a curfew.

In response, the Attorney General filed an application requesting the revocation of bail and the re-arrest of Habesh.

The accused has a number of past convictions for theft and slight bodily harm. He had been arrested just hours after the Qormi hold up, after the authorities were informed that the subject had attempted to hide inside a residence in Targa Gap, Mosta.

The hold-up took place in Victory Street, Qormi. The three passengers inside the Mercedes reported to have been held up at gunpoint, by persons who were not Maltese, and armed with rifles. The perpetrators allegedly demanded €20,000 from the driver.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia represented the accused, while lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared parte civile.