Tuesday, 29th April 2008 - 14:29CET
Video: Victim says beaten at police HQ
The family of Nicholas Azzopardi, who allegedly died in hospital after being beaten by policemen, said this afternoon that they had a video recording of Mr Azzopardi giving his version of events on his deathbed, where he says he was severely beaten.
The comments were made two hours after the government announced it had launched an independent inquiry into the circumstances leading to Mr Azzopardi's death.
Mr Azzopardi was reported by the police to have escaped from police headquarters and suffered fatal injuries when he jumped over a wall. He died on April 22. The family claim he was beaten by policemen and then dumped.
The government said early this afternoon that Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici had appointed Judge Albert Manche’ to head the inquiry.
He will examine police actions form the moment of Mr Azzopardi's arrest up to his passing away. Mr Azzopardi had been questioned at police headquarters over a familial issue.
The inquiry will also examine whether there was police negligence or abuse of power as well as any ancillary matters.
The inquiry was invited to make recommendations as it deems fit.
A magisterial inquiry is also under way.
Meanwhile Mr Azzopardi’s father Joe and his brother Reno in a press conference this afternoon published a video showing exceprts of the comments given by Mr Azzopardi.
Joe Azzopardi said that when he had examined his son’s body after he died, he found a large number of bruises particularly around the back of the head but also his right side and buttocks, that developed while Nicholas was in hospital. He said it did not make sense that Nicholas has bruises on the front and back of the body if he had fallen, as was claimed.
He said the family had made strong appeals for Nicholas to receive protection in hospital, but this was never provided.
Dr Toni Abela, the family’s defence lawyer, said that while one could not at this stage say that Mr Azzopardi had been beaten, the circumstances so indicated, and the inquiry was therefore needed.
Mr Joe Azzopardi pointed out that among those who had heard his son give his full version of events was lawyer Raphael Fenech Adami.
The press conference was held at the the offices of MediaToday, which broke the story last Sunday.
The words said by Nicholas Azzopardi in the video excerpt are:
Li gara it-Tlieta filghaxija ircevejt telephone biex immur id-depot il-Furjana. Waslet qabli m'ommha u t-tifla ma PS24. Dak il-hin ma rajt lil hadd minnhom. It-tfal ma rajt lil hadd minnhom ghax...mal-kunjata u mat-tifla, u inzilt isfelt u qlajt xeba tal-beati pawli...
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Comments
1.Was the detainee anyway violent and aggressive towards the police inside? That would constitue use of force.
2. Was he armed with something?
3. Did the detainee fall on top of something? (therefore it may count for the bruising)
4. It is obviously that the detainee tried to escape from police custody...if so how? I can not imagine that if he was under arrest for a crime. The police would not let him walk out scott free and then change their mind and beat him up.
The police recieve a lot of abuse, violence and aggressive bahaviour that could threaten your life, their life or a member of public. Just remember you have a split second to make that decision.
Imagine a scenario where you and a colleague are on patrol and you are approached by a male who you know is mentally unstable. He has a huge history of mental health issues and is violent towards anyone and violent on arrest..
This male approches you armed with a knife and threatens you with it. He grabs a member of public and stick the knife on her neck. You have a split second decision to make...what would you do?
In the UK we are not armed with fire arms. We have CS spray and an asp. We have to make a decision that could save someones life.
So please all those people who may slate that police have to realise of what pressure they are under. They are scrutanised by everyone...but when trouble comes your way......who do call???....the police.
Don't you think that's a bit rich coming from the U.S. out of all countries?
They really should do something about Guantanamo ... what has it been now, over 5 years?
And in the UK, local councils are using same anti terrorism laws to spy on people if their dogs poop in public.
Fact is that the Qormi man was gunned down, a man who to my knowledge (from the news reported) was in an unhealthy state of mind- and if I remember well the police purportedly also knew about this man's state of health.
Self-Defence? Of course.... but it can never equate to the disproportionate use of force.
Gunning down someone with a knife cannot be tolerated. Stopping him from being of an immediate danger to himself and others - yes by all means.
The disproportionate use of force was also evident in the St. Julians event. Ok the lady might have been a pain, but this was a burly cop, 6 feet plus ....
It is already unacceptable enough – that the Police can detain any one of us for 48 hours without having the right of a lawyer or any family member including mother, father or a brother/sister.
- Effectively you are alone and with No Human Rights At All for 2 days!
- Am I right? Or is as I understand it incorrect?
I ask because the following is what the US Department of State reports on Malta,
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78827.htm released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, - Malta 2006 Country report -
Arrest and Detention
An arrest warrant, issued by a magistrate, is generally required before the police may detain a person for questioning on the basis of reasonable suspicion.
The constitution provides that, within 48 hours of detention, police must either release a suspect or file charges and in all cases must inform detainees of the grounds of suspicion for their arrest.
These requirements were respected in practice.
During the 48 hour period after detention, arrested persons do not have the right to legal counsel or to meetings with family members. Family members may visit detainees once charges are filed.
There were no reports of problems or abuse of prisoners during the 48 hour detention period.
Lets be objective ... the police's job by its very nature deals does not deal with honesty. They are human and make mistakes. Considering that, in Malta they really have made very, very few. I have lived in other countries and these things happen often. A number of incidents occurred on exactly the same lines as the gunning down of the this unfortunate mentally unstable individual. Then I recall a number of others where individuals provoke, intimidate or threaten the life of police officers. These officers have more than a decent life to protect and a family. They face vindictiveness and violence on a daily bases so please let us give them the benefit of the doubt.
happened should and are taking place, one cannot come to any conclusions yet.
Mr/Ms G Azzopardi mentioned the case of the French woman in St Julians but forgot to add that the policeman in question was taken to court.
Mr/Ms J Abela mentioned the case of the man who was gunned down in Qormi. Following thorough examination of the case, he forgot to add that it was concluded the policeman/men acted in self defence since the "victim" attacked them with a knife.
I mean, as far as I know, when cause of death is suspicious, usually an autopsy is carried out automatically. Was this carried out?
This is an important detail.
Whilst a serious investigation is very much a necessity in such a grave case, I would wait to hear the conclusions of the investigations. I appeal to people in general to refrain from creating sensational stories out of investigations, much like what happens with every murder case in Italy.