Italian teenager detained in Malta over false bomb alarm

A 15‑year‑old Italian boy who has lived in Malta for five years was arrested at the end of May after calling a bomb threat at his school in Mosta. The school was evacuated, but no device was found. He was initially held in the adult Corradino prison, placed in isolation, and later transferred to a juvenile facility where he spent 35 days confined for 22 hours a day, forced to eat standing and without basic utensils.

His parents allege the detention violates humanitarian principles, describing the conditions as illegal and inhumane. Maltese Interior Minister Glenn Bedingfield said the call was not a prank or an isolated incident and that the teenager faces a range of serious charges, including association with a criminal organization, production, distribution and possession of child sexual‑abuse material, and other offenses. The Italian embassy has been involved, with ambassador Valentina Setta visiting the detainee, and Italian authorities are monitoring the case.

The investigation also explores whether the boy was targeted by an online gaming group that allegedly supplied illicit material and attempted extortion, which may have led to the bomb‑threat call.