‘What Are We Trying To Prove Here?’: Magistrate Loses Patience After Delays In Case Of ‘Lilu King’
In a recent development, the Court expressed its rising annoyance with the ongoing case of Mohamed Ali Ahmed Elmushraty, better known as Lilu King. This is due to the three-month wait since the well-known Paceville tycoon appeared in court. The prosecution is struggling to present complex evidence related to drug trafficking against Elmushraty.
Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech was in the spotlight as she emphasized the trial’s slow progress while clearly upset. Elmushraty has been held under preventive custody despite the fact that he entered a not guilty plea to charges related to organized crime, including drug trafficking and money laundering, in May.
It’s interesting to note that after his court appearance, police personnel came forward and claimed that Elmushraty was accused of murder in Libya. The Tripoli authorities reportedly gave this piece of intelligence to the Maltese police. The arrest of Elmushraty and two other people during a drug operation in San Ġiljan serves as the case’s history backdrop.
Yet despite extensive police surveillance, the arrest turned up no drugs in his possession, and the pursuing squad was unable to find any physical proof.
A pivotal moment occurred in the courtroom when Magistrate Dimech asked, “What are we trying to prove here?” after hearing the first witness, a Libyan businessman who knew Lilu King. The conversation focused on a Mercedes G Wagon that Lilu King frequently drove and which, according to the witness, was bought in Libya but never shipped to Malta because of prohibitive local registration fees.
With shop employees from The Point who offered no remarkable insights into Elmushraty’s alleged illegal operations, the prosecution’s witness testimony seemed to worsen. One described a small transaction in which Elmushraty bought sneakers.
Magistrate Dimech highlighted her concerns with the Drug Squad’s weakness to present evidence relating to the organised crime and drug trafficking claims against Elmushraty due to the obvious absence of real proof.
The Attorney General, Antoine Agius Bonnici, recognized the slow proceedings but emphasised the complexity of cases involving organised crime. The prosecution’s refusal to grant bail marked the end of the day and highlighted Elmushraty’s probable flight risk given his ties abroad. In response, Dr. Debono compared Elmushraty to other people who had been given interim freedom and emphasised Elmushraty’s history of returning to Malta after trips.
Lilu’s defence Dr. Franco Debono concluded by saying using social media is not illegal, strongly opposing the prosecution’s strategy and appealed with the court “to serve justice for all”
What is your opinion on this case?