The case of Christopher Bartolo, who was sentenced to five years in prison for drug trafficking, will now be facing a new trial in front of the Magistrates’ Court instead of passing through a jury.

In the latest court session, presided over by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri requested that the case be sent to the Magistrates’ Court instead of the Criminal Court.

The defence argued that the case has now changed from one involving a kilo of cannabis to one involving only 163 grams, which makes it eligible to be tried in the Magistrates’ Court.

This request was confirmed by lawyer Abigail Caruana from the Attorney General’s Office during yesterday’s Thursday session, stating that the case will now be heard by a Magistrate.

The proceedings will continue in September, allowing enough time for the opposing arguments to be presented.

The defence was led by lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri, and Francesca Zarb.