Two granted bail

Businessman Anthony Grech Sant and drug trafficker Mario Camilleri's son Pierre were yesterday granted bail on condition they do not leave their house unless by court order.

Magistrate Noel Cuschieri granted Grech Sant, 55, and Pierre Camilleri, 20, bail against a Lm5,000 deposit and a personal guarantee of Lm10,000.

He explained that he had not made any distinction between the men because he had not been presented with evidence of their financial situation and had simply taken into consideration the fact that both were gainfully employed.

Magistrate Cuschieri however denied Mario Camilleri and Joseph Zammit's request for bail on the grounds that the court was not satisfied they would abide by bail conditions in the light of their criminal record.

The four are pleading not guilty to trading in influence, aiding and abetting in the bribery of two judges and conspiring to commit a crime.

Zammit is also charged with defrauding Mario Camilleri and/or other people out of some Lm5,000 and a second count of trading in influence. Both are also charged with relapsing.

Magistrate Cuschieri yesterday ruled, in relation to the request of Camilleri, 40, and Zammit, 57, that the court "after taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, the nature and seriousness of the offence, the character, antecedents, associations and community ties of the accused, as well as any other matter which appear[ed] to be relevant" did not feel they could give the necessary guarantees that they would

¤ appear when summoned,
¤ not abscond or leave Malta,
¤ observe all the conditions imposed by the court,
¤ not interfere or attempt to interfere with witnesses or not otherwise obstruct or attempt to obstruct the course of justice, or
¤ not commit any other offence.

Magistrate Cuschieri had earlier heard police commissioner John Rizzo declare that the prosecution still had a few witnesses to produce but they were all experts appointed by the court and the 'sensitive' witnesses had been produced.

He rose at the end of a sitting which saw Judge Noel Arrigo and Judge Patrick Vella take the witness stand at the request of the prosecution but refuse to answer questions on the grounds that there were criminal proceedings against them.

Both said they had nothing to say at this stage in reply to a question by the police commissioner.

The case continues.

Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet is leading the team of prosecutors with police commissioner John Rizzo, deputy commissioner Joseph Cachia, assistant commissioner Michael Cassar and Superintendent Pierre Calleja.

Dr Joseph Brincat is appearing for Grech Sant, Dr Chris Cardona for Zammit and Dr Franco Debono for the Camilleris.