A parish priest being accused of misappropriation of funds fell ill in court today, leading to a medical intervention and the public being removed from the courtroom.

Father Luke Seguna, 39, was also charged with money laundering and falsifying documents.

During the court sitting today in Valletta, Seguna told the court he was feeling pain in his stomach, and that he was having trouble catching his breath. 

As his pain continued to increase, Seguna requested that his parents be removed from the room.

The court called for a medical team, and Seguna was laid flat on courtroom seating and began to raise his legs up. He was examined in the court room by a doctor who arrived from a local health clinic.

During this, all individuals who were not needed in regards the case were asked to leave the courtroom.

Regardless of the medical intervention, prosecutors asked that the accused is not let out on bail as he still holds a lot of influence over his hometown and they feared he could tamper with evidence seeing as his case involves 120 victims related to around half a million euro.

It is believed that the half a million was raised through donations to Seguna during weddings, funerals and other methods.

On the defence’s part, they called for prudence in the case, and that there be no prejudice in the case.

They said that it was Seguna’s birthday tomorrow, and that he needed to visit hospital since he had cancer.

However, they said they would bow their heads to the courts conditions. They also noted that though Seguna had the right to remain silent, he had cooperated with police during his three hour interrogations.

After the case hit headlines, Archbishop Charles Scicluna said the parish would be placed under the management of an administrator, and that Seguna had been placed on administrative leave with immediate effect.