Bologna, August 22, 2026 – They are accused of having vandalized cars parked on the island of Malta: the six young Italians arrested Thursday evening in Malta were heading to Bologna. Among them are two minors. The six were stopped at Malta airport for damaging some cars in Swieqi, one of the areas most exposed to excesses related to youth nightlife.
The group was about to board shortly, destination: Bologna. But the six young people were identified thanks to surveillance cameras, which cover about 95% of the territory of Malta. And they were stopped after the serious vandalism. The 6 tourists, including 2 seventeen-year-olds, face a hefty fine and will most likely be expelled from the island. The summary trial is scheduled for this morning. There is also a video of the incident: and in the video you can clearly hear the blows given to the cars. There are 4 damaged cars, from which the mirrors were torn off.
Malta’s plan with almost 500 fines per month
The incident involving the young Italians was reported by the newspapers Malta Independent and Times of Malta. An event that fits into the crackdown launched in recent weeks by the government against antisocial behavior of tourists: the anti-vandal plan provides for strengthened controls, immediate fines, and patrols in the main areas frequented by young foreigners. A plan that has already triggered almost 500 fines per month.
The Maltese Interior Minister: “Thanks to the police for the quick response”
Personally intervening in the case was then the Interior Minister Glenn Bedingfield, who announced the arrests and also thanked the police for the speed of the intervention. The six were identified thanks to surveillance camera footage after the damage to parked vehicles in the area.
The Maltese government has intensified controls since July especially in Swieqi, Paceville, St Julian’s, Sliema, and Gzira, introducing on-the-spot sanctions for noise disturbance, indecent acts, and other public order violations.
“Malta is open to visitors, but does not tolerate these behaviors”
The minister has repeatedly stated that Malta will remain a destination open to visitors, but does not intend to tolerate behaviors that compromise the safety and tranquility of residents. The six young Italians arrested are in contact with the Italian Embassy.
“The mentality of ‘we come to Malta, and to Swieqi, because there are no controls’ ends here,” declared the deputy mayor Jordan Galea Pace.
The other incident in Malta: a 15-year-old Italian in jail
Meanwhile, the 15-year-old Italian detained in Malta and accused of a long series of serious crimes remains in jail. This was decided by the judge at the end of the hearing in which the possibility of releasing the boy on bail was discussed. The boy is accused of a long series of serious crimes and was arrested last May 25 in Malta after having launched a false bomb alarm at his school. The 15-year-old has been held in juvenile detention since then and kept isolated from others due to suspected active participation in group 764. The hearing was also attended by the Italian ambassador, Valentina Setta. The judge, at the start of the hearing, excluded the media and allowed the ambassador’s presence only after asking if the prosecution had no objections.
