Former prime minister Dom Mintoff has sued The Times for libel over the publication of a letter on the Banco di Sicilia.
Mintoff filed two suits in the Magistrates' Court against the editor of the time, Victor Aquilina, and appeared in court to confirm his complaint on oath yesterday.
The civil suit and the request for criminal proceedings are being heard by Magistrate Silvio Meli and Magistrate Michael Mallia.
Mintoff is claiming libel over the letter written by J.E. Agius of Attard and published in The Times of October 14 last year under the heading "Mintoff's largesse".
He is seeking damages under the Press Act and a conviction for defamation and libel under the Criminal Code and the Press Act.
The case continues.
Dr Joseph M. Buttigieg and Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici are counsel to Mintoff while Dr Austin Bencini and Dr Stefan Frendo are counsel to The Times.