One-hundred and three Croatian soccer fans who were arrested for causing riots appeared before the La Valletta Municipal Court on Wednesday. They were charged with aggravated assault, attack on a police officer and disorderly conduct. Of the 103, 100 pleaded guilty, while three insisted that they were innocent.
Although most of the accused did not take part in the incidents, they admitted guilt to avoid further court proceedings and to be allowed to return to Croatia. Those who pleaded guilty were sentenced to seven months in jail or to two years on probation and were deported to Croatia.
The three Croatians who did not plead guilty stayed in Malta and their passports were seized. They have been released pending trial, Crnic said.
Croatian Ambassador to Italy Drago Kraljevic, who covers Malta, and the Croatian consul are in Malta. Kraljevic on Friday visited the Maltese Foreign Ministry and this afternoon he is expected to visit Communications Minister Censu Galea, who was injured in the incidents and hospitalised. Talks will also be held with Maltese police officials to establish the circumstances of the incidents.
The Croatian consul will stay in Malta until the case of the three soccer fans who did not plead guilty is resolved, Crnic said.