The patient was one of a group of war casualties sent to Malta by the Committee of Injury in Libya on the strength of an agreement between the two countries for free medical treatment.
Gafà had approached the patients, introducing himself as the representative of the Minister of Health, demanding money for treatment.
“He wanted €3,500,” said the witness, but since he could only afford part of that sum, Gafà had threatened to call the police and throw him out of Malta unless he paid the rest.
The men’s visas had long expired since they had been in Malta for six months, while their visas had been initially issued for 15 days, the witness explained.