Three people have been arrested over an early morning Sliema attack in what authorities suspect may have been a planned and paid hit job.

A 37-year-old Maltese and two Alabanian nationals aged 23 are expected to be charged in court in relation to the unprovoked attack on a 62-year-old jogger in Qui-Si-Sana, Sliema.

Early indications show that the attack may have been premeditated, TVM reported, citing police sources.

The attack by the two men, allegedly carrying knives, ended with the aggressors fleeing the scene. Police were able to determine where they fled to, leading to one of the Albanian men being found and held down by a member of the public before being arrested by police.

After more investigations by the Major Crimes unit, another Albanian man of the same age was arrested.

Investigations indicate that the Maltese man had employed the two 23-year-old Albanians to follow the victim, Maltese man Louis Spiteri, and attack him.

Late Thursday evening, the alleged Maltese “mastermind” was identified and arrested.

They are expected to be charged in from of Magistrate Charmaine Galea later today.

Spiteri himself opened up about the attack in a detailed Facebook post that was widely shared following the news, with many calling for 24/7 protections in the area.