Two deny raping Italian woman

Two Somali immigrants pleaded not guilty to raping an Italian woman and holding her against her will last Sunday. Abdiraman Abukar and Liban Mohamud, both 26 of Floriana, also pleaded not guilty to violent indecent assault on a 21-year-old Italian woman on Sunday between 2 and 4am. They are also charged with holding the woman against her will, harassing her, offending public morals, slightly injuring her, stealing her mobile phone and using violence against her. Police Inspector Yvonne Farrugia told Magistrate Neville Camilleri the two men were arrested after their mobile phone numbers were traced from a number of records. The woman, who resides in Valletta, reported that she was snatched by a number of men and bundled into a car while walking in Valletta. They then raped her in Ħal Far. The prosecuting officer objected to bail being granted, noting the serious nature of the crime and pointing out there were several witnesses, including the victim herself, who had still to be heard. Mr Mohamud was also charged with driving a car without a licence and breaching bail conditions. Mr Abukar was charged with relapsing. Mr Abukar had been found guilty of raping a woman in a...