Constitutional hearing put off for judgment

The constitutional case filed by two judges charged with bribery over what they are claiming is a breach of their fundamental human right to a fair trial is up for judgment on December 4.

Lawyers for former chief justice Noel Arrigo, 52, of Siggiewi, and Judge Patrick Vella, 58, of San Pawl tat-Targa, made final submissions before Mr Justice Gino Camilleri yesterday in reply to the arguments brought by Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet last week.

The matter was referred to the Civil Court by the Magistrates' Court after the judges claimed the prime minister made statements asserting their guilt before they were tried by a court and had, at best, clouded their constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Judge Arrigo and Judge Vella are pleading not guilty to two counts of bribery and one of revealing official secrets in relation to a sentence handed down by the Court of Criminal Appeal against Mario Camilleri on July 5.

The case continues.

Dr Joseph Giglio and Dr George Abela are representing Judge Arrigo while Dr Toni Abela, Dr Michael Sciriha and Dr George Cutajar are representing Judge Vella.

Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet is also representing the police commissioner.