The man charged over the fatal shooting of a businessman in Bidnija on Sunday had previously been accused of attempted murder and assaulting a police officer in two separate violent incidents.Mohamed Hamdan, who was charged in court on Monday with the murder of Jean Paul Busuttil following what appears to have been a road-rage incident, has a history of serious criminal accusations, including a stabbing and an altercation with police.Hamdan, a 46-year-old Libyan national born in Syria and married to a Maltese woman, is currently being held in custody. He is accused of fatally shooting Busuttil after an argument broke out following a car crash on Triq il-Konkos in Bidnija. Police say Hamdan briefly left the scene on a motorcycle before returning with a weapon and opening fire. He was arrested on site and arraigned on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty.Court records show that in 2006, Hamdan, who was 27 at the time, was charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a Libyan man, Hadi Ali Giuma Enfis, during an incident in Madliena. He was also accused of unlawfully detaining the victim and stealing $17,000 in cash. The case involved other unidentified persons, and bail was denied as the victim was still recovering in hospital.In a separate case in 2011, Hamdan was once again arraigned, this time accused of assaulting a police officer during an altercation in Ċirkewwa. According to testimony in court, Hamdan became aggressive and refused to provide his personal details when a police officer questioned him about a makeshift licence plate on his private vehicle. While the defence claimed the incident involved racial insults, police said the confrontation, including Hamdan’s behaviour, was captured on CCTV. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.In the current case, Hamdan is facing charges of wilful homicide, illegal possession of a weapon, carrying it without a licence, destroying evidence, and reckless driving. He is also accused of causing others to fear violence and damaging property valued at over €2,500.No request for bail was made during Monday’s sitting, and the court issued a protection order in favour of the victim’s daughter and relatives. Prosecutors also requested that the remainder of the case be heard behind closed doors, a request that was upheld by the court.The search for the murder weapon is still ongoing. The next court sitting is expected in the coming days.•