German diplomat acquitted of harassing taxi driver

The spouse of a German diplomat, Ihssane Larhzali of Morocco, was acquitted of harassing and attempting to use force against a taxi driver and damaging his vehicle in May this year.

In separate proceedings, taxi drivers Fabian Mifsud, 25 of Msida and Emanuel Tabone, 58 of Fgura were charged with breaching public peace, swearing in public, assaulting Larhzali and causing her slight injuries.

The 34-year-old Moroccan national, who resides in Sliema, is married to a German diplomat and enjoyed diplomatic immunity. However the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany has waived her immunity in view of her court case.

In the early hours of 26 May, Larhzali was in Paceville with her friends when the group stopped next to a parked taxi. Driver Fabian Mifsud shouted and insulted the woman in Maltese, asking her to move away from his car.

"I repeatedly told him that I was not damaging his vehicle however he grabbed me by the hand, threw me on the floor and assaulted me. I kicked him in his private parts to defend myself," she told the court. After the incident Larhzali called for police assistance, telling the operator "unless you send officers to help I will call my embassy for assistance". The victim subsequently filed a police report, and later released a police statement.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia found Fabian Mifsud guilty of all charges and fined him €1000. Co-accused Emanuel Tabone was acquitted of breaching public peace, swearing in public but convicted of assaulting and injuring Larhzali. He was fined €500. The court also placed German diplomat Ihssane Larhzali under a protection order.

Inspector Luke Bonello prosecuted. Lawyer Lucio Sciriha appeared for Ihssane Larhzali while Dr Gianluca Caruana Curran appeared for the taxi drivers.