A murder suspect challenging the mandatory forfeiture of a €31,000 bail bond appears to have been justified in doing so, since the law allowing such indiscriminate punishment is set to change.
The challenge was the subject of a constitutional reference requested by Franko Ahmed Rasem, a 35-year-old Libyan who last November was convicted over a violent episode at his girlfriend’s home, landing an effective jail term as well as forfeiture of the monies guaranteeing bail conditions.
The man had appealed that conviction and, pending final judgment, had then filed an application to challenge the constitutional validity of the relative provisions of the Criminal Code concerning breach of bail.