Syrian arraigned over harassment

Syrian asylum seeker Ahmed Ali Kasab was remanded in custody at the Forensic Ward, after harassing and instilling fear in a twelve-year-old girl.

Police inspector Saviour Baldacchino recounted the events that led to the arrest of the 43-year-old born in Aleppo, Syria. A twelve-year-old girl was walking her dog in Msida when the accused chased her and started following her. Kasab had been in the entrance of a garage when the firl passed by. He ran up the ramp and followed her down the street to roundabout. Scared of the man stalking her, the girl rushed home and informed her parents who filed a police report.

The Syrian asylum seeker was arrested from the same street. He has no fixed residence and was known to find refuge in an abandoned showroom in Msida. He also spent time at Mt Carmel Hospital.

Wearing shorts and undone sandals, Kasab with dishevelled hair sat in the dock hearing the charges being read out to him. Complaining loudly to the translator at his side, the accused was repeatedly warned by the Magistrate and the prosecution to lower his tone.

He was charged with harassment, resisting arrest and assaulting police officers, living as a vagabond and refusing to look for work when he had no means to sustain himself.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Scibberras remanded the accused in custody at the Forensic Ward. She instructed that the accused is to receive any medication he needs. 

Dr Marc Anthony Mifsud Cutajar appeared as legal aid for the accused.