Charged with defaming the PM

Philip Attard, 38 of Tarxien, was yesterday remanded in custody after being charged with making a false report about police officers.

Attard claimed he had been beaten up by the police and filed a report to this effect on Sunday morning.

He was further charged with defaming Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg as well as Police Commissioner John Rizzo and other police officers.

Attard was also charged with threatening police officers and Dr Mario Grixti of the Gzira polyclinic, breaching the public peace, disobeying legitimate police orders and breaching a probation order.

Inspector Mario Tonna prosecuted.