Red Arrows Were Painted On Malta’s Countryside For Holidaying Athletes, Court Told
Serge Morel-Jean, the travel director charged with spray-painting red arrows across Malta’s countryside, allegedly did so to mark trails for athletes he brought down to the country.
Morel-Jean, a 73-year-old French national, pleaded not guilty to causing wilful damage to government property in a court sitting earlier today.
Inspector Elliott Magro charged the 73-year-old after police and ERA received reports of red arrows being sprayed on the property around the Majjistral park, Comino, Fomm ir-Riħ, Ras il-Qammieħ, the Red Tower area, and Għar Lapsi among others.
The cost of repairing the damage has been revised to be more than €2,500.
Police discovered multiple spray cans in Morel-Jean’s car after a brief search. Morel-Jean was even told that he would not be charged if he removed the arrives.
However, after washing off a couple, police captured him attempting to scratch them off or hide them with soil.
The court, which was presided over by Magistrate Victor Axiaq, heard how Morel-Jean was also charged with violating the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection regulation on 26th August.
Magro did not object to bail but told the court that the accused had to leave his contact details against a guarantee.
Bail was set against a deposit of €10,000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000. However, Morel-Jean remained in custody after he said that he could not pay that amount of money.