Weekly News Highlights

Meinrad Calleja, 41, of Swieqi, last Sunday was cleared of complicity in the attempted murder of Richard Cachia Caruana, the prime minister's personal assistant, on December 18, 1994 after jurors returned a not guilty verdict by six votes to three. Calleja is now expected to be released from prison some time in November 2006. He was jailed for 15 years and fined Lm30,000 on April 4, 2001 for drug conspiracy and cocaine trafficking.

5,000 letters returned to Malta from Heathrow

Maltapost has launched an investigation after 10 mailbags destined for the US, Canada and Costa Rica were returned to Malta from London's Heathrow airport, some of them after a four-month delay. Maltapost said on Monday that a total of 90.7 kg of mail despatched from Malta on a number of different dates between September 29 of last year and as recently as January 27, were returned to Maltapost yesterday week.

Double-murder trial - jury dissolved

The Jury trial of Brian Vella, 34, of Hamrun, was dissolved on Wednesday after the judge ruled there was the risk that reference to the evidence of key witness Dominic Bonnici, who was deemed incompetent to testify at this stage, could lead to a miscarriage of justice.

Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono upheld a request by Vella's defence counsel who objected to Bonnici's testimony on the grounds that once Bonnici was an accomplice in the alleged double murder with which Vella is charged, and was still awaiting judgment, he was not a competent witness. The case was put off sine die to be heard by different jurors, Vella remains under arrest.

The trial started on Monday. Vella is pleading not guilty to the murder of 79-year-old Gerald Grima and his 63-year-old wife Josephine on February 10, 2000. Vella is also pleading not guilty to stealing over Lm1,000 worth of valuables from the Grimas' apartment.

The elderly couple were tied up and gagged during a burglarly at their Santa Lucija apartment four years ago. They died of asphyxia due to gagging.

Young woman found dead in hospital grounds

A 20-year-old woman, Magdalene Angileri of Zabbar, was found dead between the Detox Centre and the casualty department at St Luke's Hospital, in Guardamangia on Tuesday. Police suspect she died of a drug overdose.

Police sources said a car was seen being driven into the hospital grounds at about 2.10 a.m. and speeding out shortly after. It is believed the girl was dumped there after it was realised she had taken an overdose. The girl was rushed to the casualty department but was already dead.

Bus owners' strike over

The Public Transport Association has withdrawn its industrial action after meeting Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami on Friday. Association president Victor Spiteri did not divulge what went on in the meeting but said talks will resume this week with Transport Minister Censu Galea and the Transport Authority.

Since Monday, bus owners, represented by the association, had been stopping their service at 6 p.m. over demands for higher compensation to make up for escalating costs. Normal service resumed yesterday. The authority insists that any increases be tied in to a comprehensive reform of the public transport system, about which it is consulting the association.

Fatal shooting of man in 2002 Luqa hostage drama

Police officers who shot and killed a Libyan man in a hostage situation two years ago have been highly praised by the investigating magistrate. "In spite of a situation fraught with imminent danger, the police actions can only be described as very brave, which shows both the level-headedness as well as discipline that led them to move with controlled determination," Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima said. The police action was beyond reproach, highly commendable and admirable, she noted.

The inquiry report, which has been forwarded to the Attorney General, recounts how Melud Gumma Ashur Salem, a 29-year-old Libyan married to a Maltese, was under the strong influence of alcohol on December 3, 2002, when he created a commotion in Triganza Street, Luqa. He took an elderly man hostage but was shot dead by the police following a tense, 30-minute stand-off during which the hostage was repeatedly stabbed with a carving knife.

Residents protest against 'illegal mosque'

Residents in a block of flats near the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, have filed a judicial protest against the owner, occupier and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for "continuing to break the law" by operating an "illegal mosque" in the heart of the town. Residents said they had seen activity, including people praying in the mosque, very recently.

The mosque is still operating despite being declared illegal by MEPA and by the Court of Appeal and despite reports appearing in The Times.

Sant sues for libel

Labour Party Leader Alfred Sant on Friday sued Radio 101 for libel. The writ was filed against Radio 101 editor Pierre Portelli and David Casa as the presenter of the programme Nghiduha Kif Inhi over comments made during last Thursday's programme. They claimed that the comments, which alleged that the Labour leader and the party had an affiliation with Meinrad Calleja, were libellous, defamatory and did not reflect the truth.

Boy charged over friend's joyride death

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the manslaughter of his friend who died during a joyride that turned into a tragedy last May. The accused, whose name cannot be published as he is a minor, is pleading not guilty to the manslaughter of Jake Cassar, 16, who was sitting in the back seat of the Suzuki Samurai when the accused, who was allegedly at the wheel, lost control and crashed into a barrier on the Regional Road on May 23, 2003.

The boy is also charged with slightly injuring Nicholas Scicluna, also 16, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, driving his father's Suzuki without permission, driving without a licence or insurance cover, speeding and driving dangerously and recklessly.