Ta' Giezu church crucifix incident

Accused exempt from criminal responsibility

A British national charged with damaging a 200-year-old crucifix at Valletta's Ta' Giezu church was yesterday exempt from criminal responsibility "since at the time of the act he was in a state of insanity".

Magistrate Abigail Lofaro gave the ruling after hearing psychiatric experts testify that Krishanu Bhattacharjee had no control over his wishes and intentions when he damaged the mother of pearl crucifix.

The magistrate ordered that Mr Bhattacharjee be kept in custody at Mount Carmel Hospital according to the Mental Health Act.

During the compilation of evidence, Magistrate Lofaro had heard Fr George Aquilina explain how he was saying the 6.15 p.m. Mass on March 31 when Mr Bhattacharjee unexpectedly walked onto the altar and pushed over the crucifix and two candlesticks because, he later explained, "Your God is a God of violence".

Fr Aquilina said it was immediately clear to him that the man suffered from some mental health problem.

He added that a few days later, on April 4, he had received a letter from Mr Bhattacharjee's mother asking for forgiveness about what he had done.

Lawyers Joseph Mercieca and Alfred Mallia prosecuted.

Lawyer Vincent Galea was defence counsel.