Man Pleads Not Guilty To The Attempted Murder Of Hugo Chetcuti
Photos: Stills from Net TV and Newsbook footage
The man charged with the attempted murder of Paceville entrepreneur Hugo Chetcuti has pleaded not guilty but has been kept in police custody.
Bojan Cmelik, a 35-year-old from Serbia, was slapped with several charges today – including attempted murder, threatening and attacking police officers, disobeying their orders and carrying a knife without a license.
According to reports from court, Cmelik remained silent with his head bowed throughout the proceedings, while his lawyer Ismael Psaila pleaded not guilty on his behalf.
Cmelik doesn’t have a fixed address in Malta and refused to state what his job is, only telling the court he wants to defend himself with silence. No bail was requested and the accused was remanded in custody.
Reliable sources told Lovin Malta that Chetcuti was standing outside Hugo’s Seafood and Cocktails – his latest business venture on St Rita’s Steps – when Cmelik approached him and gave him a hug before stabbing him twice in the stomach and running away.
Chetcuti was sampling food at Hugo’s Seafood and Cocktails – his latest business venture that will soon open in the building that used to house the old Nordic nightclub. At around 10:45pm, he stepped outside into the alley and was approached by a man – who police believe to be a 35-year-old Serbian.
Cmelik was first spotted in Balluta, but he managed to run to Exiles and give the police the slip. Police soon found him near St James Hospital in Sliema, but he resisted arrest, forcing police to taser him to the ground.
Chetcuti underwent major surgery and, while the situation remains delicate, medics believe the worst is over and that the Paceville entrepreneur could be woken up later on today.
The Paceville businessman’s brother Isaac later confirmed in a Facebook post that the operation was successful.
“We would like to assure everyone that, after a successful operation, Hugo is over the worst and is slowly recovering,” Isaac Chetcuti wrote. “He is in excellent hands and is surrounded by his family and friends. We would like to thank all of you for your concern and well wishes. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.”
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