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6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 7 APRIL 2021 NEWS e Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Animal Rights (MAFA) together with the Agriculture and Rural Payments Agency (ARPA), in collaboration with the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) have developed a Government- funded training scheme for young farmers. Under the coordination, supervision and guidance of MCAST, there will be a number of hours allocated for young farmers to assist in the day-to-day work planned by the host farmer. e aim is for young farmers to gain the necessary experience through practical training provided by the host farmer and structured theoretical learning. Before submitting applications for support under this scheme, the Agency is launching a pre-call for established farmers who wish to participate and serve as host farmers in the scheme by offering practical experience and training to prospective young farmers. Similarly, interested young farmers can also apply under this pre-call to show their interest in the scheme. e list of host farmers and young farmers will be available before the call for the actual application allowing applicants with sufficient time to come to an arrangement and eventually submit a joint application. It is important to note that this call is only intended to facilitate contact between young farmers and host farmers, and under no circumstances should it be interpreted as a certification of eligibility. Applications for this pre-call are to be sent to the Agency no later than 23rd April 2021. In case of difficulty or questions applicants or interested parties may call the Agency's Front Office on 22926148 or send an email to arpa.mafa@gov.mt. e guidelines for this scheme may be accessed from the Agency's website https://agrikoltura.gov.mt/en/ arpa/Pages/guidelines.aspx. t: +356 2292 6148 e: arpa.mafa@gov.mt w: www.arpa.gov.mt National Training Scheme for Young Farmers Agriculture and Rural Payments Agency Luqa Road, Qormi QRM 9075 – Malta MATTHEW AGIUS THE alleged victim of a murder attempt has gone to court in order to forgive his assailant. During the compilation of evi- dence against a Libyan man ac- cused of attempted homicide, de- fence lawyer Jason Grima told the court that the alleged victim had contacted him through a friend, telling the lawyer that the victim wanted to sign a waiver and for- give the accused. Grima explained to Magistrate Marseann Farrugia that the al- leged victim had apparently been directed to speak to a lawyer by the Police Inspector investigating the case and had come to him. Grima could not accept the brief as he was representing the ac- cused in the case. The victim came to court on Tuesday, but was not allowed to testify. Lawyer George Camilleri ap- pearing on behalf of the Attor- ney General's Office objected to having the alleged victim testify, arguing that the witness had not been summoned and the correct procedure had not been followed. Camilleri asked the court to or- der the inspector to testify as to the sequence of events first. Replying to the prosecutor, Gri- ma pointed out that the defence had the right to summon any wit- ness at any stage during the com- pilation of evidence. He did not object to the request of having the inspector testify. Magistrate Farrugia rejected the request, stating that the correct procedure had not been followed. The magistrate also said that even had the alleged victim want- ed to forgive the accused, two of the charges against him would be still prosecutable ex officio. The defence requested the court postpone delivering its decree on a bail request filed on behalf of the accused until these witnesses are heard. Also testifying this morning was Mark Schembri, a consultant sur- geon at Mater Dei Hospital. He had examined the victim, who he understood had been in pain when he was admitted at Mater Dei Hospital, but had on- ly done so in the morning during routine ward rounds. The victim had been stabbed in the left lower abdomen. From medical examination, it emerged that there was penetration of the abdominal cavity however, there was no perforation his organs. The patient was then transferred for CT scan. The surgeon described a pen- etration of the lower organ as a 'serious' injury saying that he was lucky to have missed a vital organ. Lawyers Karl Muscat and George Camilleri appeared on behalf of the Attorney General's Office. Stabbing victim tries to forgive assailant in court FORMER footballer Darren Debono has been released on bail after being arrested for money laundering. Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech released Debono from arrest against a €50,000 deposit and a €150,000 personal guar- antee. He was ordered to ob- serve a curfew and prohibited from going within 10 metres of the coastline. His co-acused Jeffrey Chetcuti had been re- leased on bail in a previous sit- ting. Last year police raids had tar- geted Debono, and a number of his associates touted to be in- volved in an international fuel smuggling operation. In court today, a number of former employees of World Water Fisheries - of which Debono is the main sharehold- er- testified as to aspects of the firm's day-to-day operations. One witness, the company's financial controller, Charles Farrugia, told the court that he had not fully taken on the role when he quit the company in March 2014 and that the finan- cial controller work was out- sourced to Chris Baldacchino. Baldacchino's name cropped up in another witness' testi- mony, that of Marylouise Bu- hagiar, who was a clerk there. She would answer to Kathleen Gouder and auditor Chris Bal- dacchino, she said, adding that she also knew Debono as he "used to run the office." Lawyers Stephen Tonna Low- ell and Giannella De Marco are defence counsel to the accused. Former footballers Darren Debono and Jeffrey Chetcuti granted bail

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