By Omar Bah
Harona Conateh, a 32-year-old man from Gambia living in Malta, appeared in court Tuesday, July 16, before magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech. He faced three counts of rape involving three different victims at different massage parlors in Sliema and Birkirkara.
During the court session, an interpreter helped Conateh claim the dates of the alleged incidents were incorrect due to a mistake on his passport. He seemed confused about his birth date and month and suggested calling his family in Gambia for confirmation. The court ordered his mobile phone to be seized as evidence and had him call his family. Initially hesitant, he later unlocked his phone and revealed his access code. His Facebook account noted that he claimed to be 16 years old.
The court decided to use the age on his passport. Conateh, who claimed to work in the road construction industry, denied the allegations and wanted to return to Gambia. His lawyer pleaded not guilty, and bail was not requested. The magistrate emphasized that evidence would need to be presented before making any decision.
The case was remitted to the registrar of courts for assignment to a magistrate for evidence compilation. After the sitting, Conateh asked the police officers to assist and call his wife. Prosecutors from the Office of the Attorney General assisted police inspectors with the case.
