Seven Syrian youths charged in court in connection with terrorism
Seven young Syrian men were arraigned in court on Sunday evening on charges related to terrorism.
The young men are aged between 21 and 27. They are Ajil Al Muhsen, Adnan Maashi, Yazan Abduklaziz, Ahmed Kadas, Khalil Al Mahmoud, Ahmed Ahmed and Mohammed Mohammed.
Five of them reside in Hamrun, another in Pieta and the other in Birkirkara.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges they faced.
They were charged, before Magistrate Astrid May Grima, with making public messages inciting terrorist action.
They were also charged with recruiting or attempting to recruit people to commit terrorist acts.
They were also accused of teaching others to use explosives and firearms, and of entering the European Union to take part in terrorist acts.
Another charge was that the youths glorified terrorist acts, promoted them and led to the danger that terrorist acts are committed.
The magistrate ordered that all the mobile and immobile aassets belonging to the accused are seized, following a request by the prosecution.
Dr Jose Herrera, for the defence, argued that at this stage they are not asking for bail. He said that the charges are the most serious ones that can be made but believes that the accusations are exaggerated and expected them to be more along the lines of telecommunications misuse. Since the magistrate wasn’t going to hear evidence yesterday, he said he was not asking for bail, but said the court will see this when hearing evidence.
The AG lawyer, for the prosecution, responded that the charges are related to terrorism and financing of terrorism. He said he disagrees with the defence. He said equipment was lifted during the arrests and subsequent searches and that there is a large amount of data to go through.
The youths were arrested on Saturday morning by the Maltese police in an operation conducted together with Europol.
There was a heavy police presence around the law courts building in Valletta as the accused were taken to court for the hearing.