Sudanese victim is just ‘black man’ in murder trial

The trial by jury over the death of a Sudanese refugee after an altercation with a bouncer outside a Paceville club has been riddled with references to the victim as 'black man' rather than victim.

During this morning's sitting before Judge Michael Mallia, there were at least six references to the victim Suleiman Abubaker as the 'black man' (l-iswed) when words failed both lawyers and witnesses in spelling out the Sudanese victim's name.

The references were made by witnesses Ashley Conti, a dancer, and Christian Tanti.

When asking questions to the witnesses, Judge Michael Mallia and prosecutor Maurizio Cordina also referred to the victim as the 'black man'.

They spoke about the man as 'black' and Tanti, who deflected allegations that it was he who had beat the victim on the night of May 29, 2009, said: "I don't have anything against blacks' (m'ghandi xejn kontra s-suwed).

But the generic racial reference to the victim come in contrast to the fact that Suleiman Abubaker's death had sparked a national debate and a protest against racism.

Duncan Deguara, 28 of Paola, stands charged with causing Abubaker's death when he pushed him out of Footloose bar in Paceville.

According to witness Christian Tanti, he saw the victim being pushed by the accused after he insisted to enter the club. "I saw the victim move backwards, lose his footing in the pavement and slam his head to the ground. I heard it smash, and said 'Oh my God!' But then I saw him get up and was surprised to see him walk again but fall over a sight."

Tanti denies it was him who hit Abubaker while he lay on the floor.

He also denied telling his girlfriend Ashley Conti, who danced at Footloose, to get rid of her mobile phone after she allegedly took a video of the incident.

Meanwhile, Paceville entrepreneur Frankie Grima testified in court to say that he knew Abubaker as a troublemaker

He claimed the victim was "a big, well-built man who once tackled some four police officers who struggled to cuff him and persisted in a fight despite being pepper-sprayed."

Grima said that a few weeks before the incident where Abubaker had died, he had seen him approach his club Plush and forewarned his security to allow him in but to keep an eye.

"As I was inside, I walked up to him to ask him to behave after he groped a woman and he pushed me to the ground. My security threw him out and he accused me of being a racist. I replied that I employ 12 Africans."

The case continues.