Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547522
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 11 NOVEMBER 2026 NEWS approval Bidnija Tourism Authority ensuring that the units remain exclusively in tourism use and cannot be con- verted into permanent residenc- es. Detailed matters including the buildings' design, access and parking, landscaping, utilities and environmental safeguards would still have to be assessed through the subsequent full development application. Developers claim Bidnija wellbeing centre would bring environmental benefits A project description report prepared by DeMicoli & Asso- ciates argues that replacing an abandoned livestock farm in Bidnija with a wellbeing centre would bring environmental ben- efits to the rural site. The consultants argue that the development would be concen- trated on land already disturbed by the former farm, while replac- ing concrete surfaces with land- scaped areas, indigenous plants and mature trees. They describe the scheme as a low-density development de- signed to minimise its visual impact and claim that it would enhance biodiversity and create new habitats. "The proposed development is set within an extensively land- scaped site, incorporating the planting of numerous new ma- ture trees and a wide range of indigenous plant species," the report states. It adds that this approach would "enhance biodiversity, support habitat creation and landscape improvement". The report also argues that the centre would represent a more sustainable use of the land than agricultural activity, which it says can involve land clearance, soil disturbance, chemicals and ma- chinery. The proposed floor area is 1,115sqm, below the 1,134sqm recorded in 1978 aerial photo- graphs. The design also includes a campanile intended to become a landmark in the Bidnija skyline. The architect described the "tower" as "a key design element, serving as a lookout point and defining landmark that com- pletes the landscape of the Bidni- ja's hills" adding that its visibility from afar will allow it to become a distinctive feature of the area. MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt Bomb-making instructions, ISIS searches found in terrorism suspect's possessions, court hears POLICE investigating 21-year- old terrorism suspect Daniel Spiteri uncovered online search- es for ISIS-related material and extremist Islamic preachers, as well as notebooks containing bomb-making instructions and recruitment tactics, a court heard on Tuesday. Police officer Zachary Zammit, from the police anti-terrorism unit, detailed the findings while testifying before Magistrate Ann Marie Thake. The court also heard that seven more people had been arrested in connection with the ongoing ter- rorism investigation. Spiteri is facing several terror- ism-related charges, including planning a terrorist attack, re- cruiting or inciting others to com- mit terrorist acts, and training or instructing individuals in the use of firearms for terrorist purposes. He is also accused of travelling within or outside the European Union to plan terrorist activities and producing or distributing material intended to encourage others to carry out terrorist acts. Officer Zammit also detailed ev- idence recovered during a search of Spiteri's residence. The items seized included notebooks, two mobile phones, 12 pen drives, and a laptop. Zammit told the court that an examination of Spiteri's YouTube search history revealed searches for Ahmad Musa Jibril, a radical Islamic preacher whose teachings have been linked to Islamic State supporters and extremists. Jibril's material has reported- ly influenced several individuals associated with extremist move- ments, including Khuram Butt, who was identified as the ring- leader of the 2017 London Bridge terrorist attack. Investigators also discovered searches for English-language re- ligious chants glorifying militant jihad, including ISIS-related nash- eeds. Nasheeds are a form of Islamic vocal music, traditionally per- formed without musical instru- ments, although some have been adopted by extremist organisa- tions for propaganda purposes. Investigators suspect that the Maltese national was influenced by the extremist ideology promot- ed by the ISIS. Police suspect Syria trip was for terrorist training The court also heard about a trip Spiteri had made to Syria, which investigators believe was intended for him to receive terrorist train- ing. Zammit testified that police had obtained flight tickets linked to the journey, together with a re- ceipt for a taxi ride between Leba- non and Syria. Investigators also uncovered on- line searches concerning travel to Syria, which Spiteri had carried out before making the trip. Notebooks contained instructions on explosives and recruitment tactics The court also heard that note- books seized during the investiga- tion contained handwritten notes on making bombs and explosives, warfare strategies, deception tac- tics. Among the material document- ed were references to explosives and chemicals, including DNT and nitric acid, alongside instruc- tions concerning improvised non-lethal weapons. Investigators also uncovered notes on recruit- ment tactics, including one in- structing to "find desperate peo- ple." Accused said he watched videos of radical Islamist preachers because he 'enjoys learning' During questioning, Spiteri old investigators that his interest in the material stemmed from a desire to learn rather than an intention to embrace extremist ideologies. He explained that videos relating to the subjects had appeared on his TikTok feed, prompting him to take an interest and research them fur- ther. Asked about his searches for radical Islamic preachers, Spi- teri maintained that he watched their videos because he enjoyed learning about different sub- jects, rather than because of their extremist views. He also explained that he lis- tened to nasheeds while train- ing, saying he preferred them because he did not listen to con- ventional music. Regarding the notes on military strategies and warfare, Spiteri told investigators that he had wanted to write a book about different methods of warfare. The prosecution is being led by Attorney General lawyers Dejan Darmanin and Mauro Abela, to- gether with police officers Zach- ary Zammit and Mohammed Shurrab. Spiteri is being represented by defence lawyers Ismael Psaila and Amadeus Cachia. Magistrate Ann Marie Thake is presiding over the case. Daniel Spiteri, a clerk in the emergency department at Mater Dei Hospital, pleaded not guilty to all charges