Teen linked to explosive device at Mile End pleading insanity
Teen accused of planting explosive device at Mile End claiming insanity.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : An 18-year-old individual from Santa Venera, Malta, who was allegedly caught with materials used to make explosives in a garage and had plans to target various key sites, is pleading insanity. A panel of three court-appointed psychiatrists has been tasked with assessing his mental state.
The teenager is facing a total of 16 charges, including charges related to terrorism and others concerning the unlawful manufacture and possession of explosive material. The arrest came after a loud bang was heard outside of the Labour Party headquarters in Ħamrun earlier this month, just before the European Parliament elections. Although no damage or casualties were caused, the police found the remains of a small explosive device in a bin outside the building.
The suspect was identified during investigations, and his parents directed the police to the garage where they believed he was living. Explosive material was found on his person and in the garage, leading to his arrest. It is suspected that the teenager also placed explosive devices outside two pharmacies and had other targets in mind, including Parliament House.
Since his arraignment, the youth has been held at the forensic unit of Mount Carmel Hospital. His lawyers have requested a psychiatric evaluation of their client, insisting that the compilation of evidence should be put on hold until this evaluation is carried out. The prosecuting inspector had previously exhibited certificates deeming the youth fit for interrogation and trial, but the defense argued that he could not be held responsible for his actions due to his mental state at the time.
Prosecutor Kaylie Bonett requested that the standard procedure be followed with respect to an insanity plea, which entails appointing a panel of psychiatrists to examine the defendant. Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi wanted to determine the period in which the youth was claiming insanity before appointing psychiatrists Nigel Camilleri, Anton Grech, and Christian Sant to assess his mental state during the identified time period.
The case has been adjourned to 9 July, when the appointed psychiatrists are expected to testify on their findings. The youth has been remanded in custody at Mount Carmel Hospital. If the experts conclude that the teen could not be held responsible for his actions due to psychiatric conditions, he may be declared legally insane, precluding his conviction. The attorney general may appeal such a conclusion, and the compilation of evidence can continue as scheduled if no legal insanity is found.
The prosecution was led by lawyers Kaylie Bonett and Joseph Camilleri Azarov from the Office of the Attorney General, together with inspectors Camilleri and Zammit. The youth was represented by lawyers Nicholas Mifsud, Mario Mifsud, and Lara Attard, along with legal procurator Colin Galea.
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Teen linked explosive device Mile End pleading insanity.
