Two Men Believed To Be Behind ‘Tens Of Related Thefts’ Around Malta Involving Over €20,000 Arraigned In Court

Believed to be behind a string of burglaries spanning all over Malta, 41-year-old Georgian Kakhaber Lomtadze and 28-year-old Lithuanian Valdas Martinaitis were today arraigned in court on the charges of multiple theft and money laundering.

Lomtadze (who appeared in a wheelchair) and Martinaitis both pleaded not guilty and did not request bail.

Beyond participating in a criminal organisation and money laundering, the two men were also accused of burglary, with the 41 and 28-year-old being believed to have stolen some €20,000 in one single theft. Moreover, the Malta Police Force have said investigations into “tens of related thefts” are still underway.

Both men were arrested last Saturday in Fgura, where Lomtadze was actually chased on a rooftop from where he jumped and injured himself

His accomplice Martinaitis – who is also charged with no less than seven other thefts – was also arrested shortly after.

Lomtadze said he used to live in a hotel in Malta, while Martinaitis told the courts he used to live in Ukraine and was unemployed. Lawyer Martha Mifsud was the legal aid lawyer to the accused men, while inspectors Saviour Baldacchino, Shawn Pawney and Paul Camilleri are prosecuting.

All photos-screenshots from a video by MaltaToday

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