Man claims human rights violation

A man yesterday filed a constitutional application in the First Hall of the Civil Court claiming that his fundamental human rights had been violated in the course of criminal proceedings filed against him.

Daniel Bonnici filed his application against the Attorney General. He said that in 1993 he had been charged before the Magistrates' Courts with crimes related to illegal pig breeding. In the course of the proceedings, the prosecution had produced its witnesses and had declared it had no further evidence to produce.

Mr Bonnici said that after his defence counsel had produced all its evidence, the case was put off for judgment in 1994, but no judgment had been delivered.

A 13-year delay was unacceptable, Mr Bonnici said, and it could not be attributed to him. Nor was the case of a complicated nature.

Mr Bonnici said the delay was in violation of his human rights and that he was suffering damages as a result.

He added that he had requested a copy of the records of the criminal cases against him, but to no avail. In conclusion, Mr Bonnici asked the court to declare that the criminal proceedings against him were in violation of his human rights and to provide him with a remedy.

Lawyers José Herrera and Roberto Montalto acted for Mr Bonnici.