People within the Libyan community in Malta reached out to Lovin Malta following the news, claiming that Ramzi’s life in crime predates his move to Libya and that he is also allegedly on the run from his home country.

Ramzi has been linked to major crimes including theft, kidnapping and money laundering in the war-torn country. However, it appears that Libyan authorities are now more focused on the country’s inner turmoil than pursuing criminals across the globe.

The question now is how he was able to operate, commit several crimes and never face justice in Malta. 

Countless people spoke about real fears within the Libyan community who has refuge and a new life in Malta, amid concerns that Ramzi will continue on with no one left to stop him. 

Ramzi is not the only career criminal who did not leave his life behind when moving to Malta.

Ramzi is linked to a group of people living in Malta with ties to the criminal world. Some have been charged in court before but like Ramzi have been able to live life and continue their operations while being out on bail. 

Sources who spoke to Lovin Malta questioned the work of authorities on the matter – and whether investigations are actually being carried out. Still, many were worried that as outsiders, they are simply not given the attention required by investigators. 

Malta’s Prime Minister, Justice Minister and Police have been reluctant to comment on the case – and have so far rejected to confirm or deny whether or not a European Arrest Warrant has been issued. 

Ramzi would not be the first suspected criminal to flee Malta undetected. Ryan Schembri notably escaped Malta by boarding a ferry to Sicily before settling in the UAE and then Scotland.

Meanwhile, police have been under intense criticism for their failures in pursuing EAWs in both Schembri’s and Iosif Galea’s cases.

Ramzi’s history with crime dates back to 2016 when he was charged with attempted murder following a fight with bouncers in which he brandished a sword. He was released on bail for the case, which is ongoing.

He was back in court in December 2017 over charges of aggravated theft, cocaine possession and breaching his bail conditions, but was once again released on bail while a verdict is yet to be reached.

In 2018 Ramzi’s crimes escalated and he was charged with beating to death Mahmoud Elmejdi in Ħamrun, as well as holding another two against their will and threatening to kill them. Ramzi was also released on bail in this case, which is also yet to be concluded.

A year later, Ramzi was charged with two separate cases in the same month, which included several thefts and possession of illegal weapons.

Despite breaching his bail conditions numerous times, Ramzi was also granted bail in this case and ordered to sign the bail book at the police station in Qormi.

The next two years were relatively quiet, but he found himself in the news once again after he was linked to the high-profile murder of Mario Farrugia but was released without charge pending investigation.

The manhunt for Ramzi is a reminder of Malta’s abysmal court system, which sees scores of alleged criminals walk free on bail due to massive delays. 

Questions sent to police on Ramzi’s latest whereabouts and his involvement in criminality in Malta were unanswered by the time of publication.

What do you think of the case?