29-year-old Libyan denies raping Qormi preteen girl

29-year-old Alhasan Ali pleaded not guilty to charges of having raped a 12-year-old Qormi girl yesterday, when he was arraigned in Court this afternoon.

The Libyan map, who lives in Marsascala, said he had never met the child in question but admitted to have spoken her through an online messaging app.

Ali told the Court that he would be proven right after results of a DNA test carried out by doctors are returned.

The Court denied the accused bail, deeming him a flight risk, and remanded him into police custody.

Josette Sultana was legal aid. Inspectors John Spiteri and Kylie Borg prosecuted.