Man accused of trying to blackmail MP

Jo Said, 58 of Selmun was arraigned in court this morning and accused of attempting to blackmail Nationalist MP David Agius last February.

Prosecuting officer Angelo Gafa told the court that in February he was asked to investigate numerous e-mails that Mr Said had sent Mr Agius entitled The time is up. The messages claimed that Mr Agius had cheated at an economics exam at the University and it was also claimed that there were corrupt practices at the Nationalist Party.

Inspector Gafa said that Mr Said had told him that Mr Agius had met him in a cafe’ in Attard and told him about corruption within the Nationalist Party.

In his e-mails Mr Said had warned Mr Agius to stand by what he had told him.

Mr Said has denied blackmail.