51-year-old notary Pierre Falzon, from St Paul’s Bay, who was arrested in Marbella, Spain,

51-year-old notary Pierre Falzon, from St Paul’s Bay, who was arrested in Marbella, Spain, on 26 February on the strength of a European Arrest Warrant, was yesterday granted bail against a personal guarantee of €20,000 by Magistrate Doreen Clarke.

Mr Falzon, who stands accused of defrauding some of his clients, had an arrest warrant requested by the Malta police earlier this year, and was brought back to Malta on Thursday. Prosecuting Police Inspector Ian Abdilla pointed out that the accused only arrived back in Malta two days ago because while he was in Spain, he had been given a 15-day medical recovery period with orders not to go out.

After his arrest, his wife claimed that her husband went purposely abroad because he was ill, which was why he subsequently missed a court sitting.

Inspector Ian Abdilla called on the court to take into consideration the gravity of the case when granting bail. He said the accused should not approach either the Malta International Airport (MIA) or seaport and should sign for more than once a day at the Qawra police station. The need for strict bail conditions was necessary, he added, to ensure that Mr Falzon will not abscond again.

Magistrate Clarke agreed with much of what Inspector Abdilla said, but told the accused when granting him bail that he only needs to sign in at the Qawra police station once a day, between 6.30am and 9am, and banned him from approaching the MIA or seaport at any time.

Mr Falzon was defended in court by lawyer Michael Scriha.