A man who was extradited back to Malta in May 2025 over a series of 2023 thefts was granted bail on Thursday.
Iulian Dinca was arraigned in May to face charges over a series of daring thefts in the summer of 2023 when some €180,000 worth of mobile phones were stolen.
Dinca was allegedly part of a four-men gang which forced open and burgled five electronics shops, emptying their shelves in a few minutes.
The first man from the gang was arraigned in January 2025 and five months later Dinca arrived in Malta on the strength of a European Arrest Warrant.
The Criminal Court took into consideration the stage at which the proceedings had arrived, as well as the testimonies by witnesses summoned by the accused during which it emerged that the man has a residence and that he had a prospective job as well as financial assistance.
The court held there was no fear he would tamper with the evidence given that the majority of the witnesses had been heard and the evidence had been preserved.
Bail was granted against by a €5,000 deposit and a €20,000 personal guarantee.
The man was ordered to sign the bail book every day and a curfew was also imposed.
Madam Justice Edwina Grima presided over the Criminal Court.
AG lawyer Andrea Zammit and Brendan Rhys Hewer prosecuted
Lawyers Franco Debono and Herman Mula assisted the accused.