UPDATE 3: Four transport workers arraigned, remanded in custody
(Adds details on arraignment, decision of the court)
Four transport workers were this afternoon arraigned in court in connection with incidents which took place yesterday. All four were refused bail and remanded in custody at Corradino Prisons.
The first to be accused was Francis Cassar,42 of Cospicua, who was accused of having voluntarily caused damage of over €1,600 on a private coach in Floriana yesterday.
He was also accused of threatened people, forming part of a group of more than 10 intent on committing a crime and violently resisting people in charge of public transport.
He pleaded not guilty.
Arraigned later were Joseph Buttigieg, 48 of Marsa, Carmel Asciak 55 of Swatar and John Attard, 65 of Sta Venera, who were accused of having formed part of a group intent on commiting a crime. All pleaded not guilty.
Police Inspector Michael Mallia told the court that Mr Buttigieg and Mr Attard were part of a group which attacked a mini van and held 10 tourists against their will until the police intervened. He singled out Mr Buttigieg as the instigator of the attack.
Lawyer Chris Cilia said that Mr Asciak was never told that he was arrested and took the keys of the tourist van to police headquarters out of a sense of good will and as an official of the Mini Bus Co-Op.
Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani remanded all three in custody.
Meanwhile, a large contingent of policemen formed up outside the law courts to block entry to a group of public transport workers who gathered there.
Earlier, the police said they had arrested a number of public transport workers in connection with investigations into incidents which took place yesterday and this morning.
Six were arrested in connection with incidents which included violence on private vehicles and tourist coaches yesterday.
In a statement this afternoon, the police said it was involved in opening access to Valletta after it was closed by striking public transport workers this morning.
The police removed obstacles which had been blocking the roads. A number of persons were arrested for not collaborating.
Three persons were also arrested for stopping vans which were not taking part in the strike action, assaulting drivers and taking away their keys.
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63 Comments
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Mark Bonello
Jul 16th 2008, 15:33
Dear Mr. David Wills, Dr.lawrence Gonzi is on a working trip, and his " par idejn sodi" at the moment are attached to the shoulders of Minister Austin Gatt .
Gerard Mangion
Jul 16th 2008, 11:23
@ david wills What a way to Comment ,on this very Sensitive Illeagal Strike ! ????? Dr Gonzi's Par Idejn Sodi as you well by now must know, are there, Not to hurt anyone at All !! But as he is a Great Stateman, he won't take a, one second Desicion, as it was done in the 70's & 80's ! what do you pretend he should have done to date ???. Dr Gonzi is a very tolerable Man, HE WILL USE HIS PAR IDEJN SODI my friend, and in my oppinion very soon ,if these so called bus drivers Continue's to paralize our Beloved Country ! Yes with these kind of people, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BE CRUEL, TO BE KIND ! CHEERS Mr Wills.
Renato J. Costigan
Jul 16th 2008, 09:09
Only Four ( 4 ) arrested, Mr. Commisioner?
What about those who tried to enter Castille, in front of your eyes?
This is a case if kidnapping and ransom in front of the public for his expense.
We expect more from the Police.
Corinne Vella
Jul 16th 2008, 08:31
Chris Borg: I don't recall any housewives denting the 'borom' of any housewife who didn't join in their protest, or running off with the keys to her home. Nor did any of those students rip up their colleague's essay or make off with their pens. None of the people you mention blocked roads, held people hostage or wrecked the property of anyone they thought was a 'strike breaker'.
Joe Galea
Jul 16th 2008, 08:30
@ David Willis
Gonzi's par idejn sodi are in the city of love..Paris. He and Kate perhaps they're having a second honeymoon (on our taxes) while this country is in havoc. Ghax ghandna l-Gonzi maghna ahna maghqdin lalalalalalala
Joe Galea
Jul 16th 2008, 08:27
What a shameful country!! Where were the AFM soldiers? sleeping in the barracks? How come the police were there just to talk between each other, how come the Maltese Police Force doesn't give emergency support like transporting tourists? This country is led by amateurs including the Minister Austin Gatt who came up with the brilliant idea of liberalisation without any consultation when it is tourism high time. Dr. Gatt you're a genius!!!
I think most of the tourists that came in these couple of days surely would like to come back to Malta!! They can travel cheaper to Zimbabwe to have the same treatment and service.!!
marika mifsud
Jul 16th 2008, 07:25
anyone remember those students chaining up themselves to Castille in the 70s? And those students blocking the main road of Imsida in 1997? And what about the borom ladies? And what about the teachers' and doctors' strikes? PN loved so much those disruptions.
Chris - are you seriously comparing the borom ladies to the violence and aggressions of these past days ?
D.MANGION
Jul 16th 2008, 06:44
So our army is exceptionally capable and powerful when it comes to discipline weak, wafer thin illegal immigrants. Even our police are strong with 12-14 year old youths in Paceville. But once the crowd is just a little bit fatter and somewhat older, it seems that the tactics used are not the same.
Just 2 weeks ago the police have arrested a professor who had cycled his way up to Castille to present to the prime ministe his study on enviromental protection issues. How strong did the police look on that day ! What a big difference from today !
Well done to Dr. Austin Gatt and Dr. Mario Demarco for your hands-on attitude. That's the way things should be done. Now we know who really has a par idejn sodi and who hasn't.
J.C. Azzopardi
Jul 16th 2008, 06:27
So is the government - alias the taxpayer - to continue to subsidise the bus owners with over two million euros annually and get this arrogant treatment and wild west attitude from them? and by the way, subsidy to the car owners, assistance with their insurance policy, and then we see it as waste of money to subsidise the drydocks?
Most of the sectors on strike knew when they voted to join the EU that now we have to upgrade our services to the european level and that they will never ever have so good again. It is useless to lick their wound now.
Now they know what the guarantees given them by those in authority mean. Mea maxima culpa.
William Carr
Jul 16th 2008, 03:29
Dear Minister GATT,
First of all, I was deeply sad about the silly and uncivilized incident that took place behind your doors. Whoever behind any act of violence should be investigated. If you go soft you will be eaten. Please stick to your words.
The peoples must wake up and live up to new realties, otherwise we will lose what we have been building in years. The peoples have been spoiled for many years and they hardly appreciated.
You know better than I, things are getting tough, everywhere, and the worst yet to come.
Unfortunately, half the Maltese still live on the moon, while the other half living underground. They need an earthquake to wake them up and face new realties such as fuel price hikes, food and grain shortage, climate change, and also irregular immigration. The latter has become the pretext for rivals to attack the government.
Success is always our allies. I am sure, together we will get over all difficulties. We will live up to European Union values, and win over all form of racism. Racist peoples if needed be should also end behind bars.
Peter Xuereb
Jul 16th 2008, 02:36
We have allowed small minorities to blackmail the country for long enough.
Show zero tolerance: arrest and press charges against all troublemakers -- and impound all vehicles illegally causing disruption.
The law is for everybody -- not just for the law abiding citizen!
j sciberras
Jul 16th 2008, 01:08
hey, we've forgotten the wardens! Why don't they all show us the stuff they're made of and give a hell of a lot of tickets to these illegally parked taxis, buses etc. Now's the time of their life. Go on then. surely they'll love this.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 16th 2008, 00:57
@ Mr Manuel Micallef - I don't think you should be very proud of your memory; or else, your sense of comparison is failing you dreadfully.
I do remember the public transport strikes during Mintoff's premiership. Mr Micallef, did the strikers ever manage to reach the Castille Door? Heaven forbid! They would have been blasted and shot on the spot!
Did the strikers, then, cause the mayhem that today's strikers are causing? Heaven forbid! And yet, they were arrested, or so you say. Well, it just shows, doesn't it? ..... how some people will simply clutch at any twig (not branch) to turn such an event into a political issue.
And I wouldn't be at all sure that these protesters are all workers in the transport sector! Most probably, 'other' kinds of trouble-makers have joined them in the streets, to create further trouble!
Kevin Zammit
Jul 16th 2008, 00:42
This is it.
We're already at only with Portugal for the highest number of school drop outs.
Which way do we want to go ? ... this is where we say this is not the future we want for our children.
Ignorant and illitarate groups cannot keep dictating the rest ...
Because like one guy once said ... macho is b***s**t
Mario Bonnici
Jul 16th 2008, 00:28
What is happening is all the government's fault. He promised a lot before the elections and now he's faced with reality.
Adam Cacciottolo
Jul 15th 2008, 22:57
When will this strike end? Can someone please reply?
valerie scicluna
Jul 15th 2008, 22:45
@ Chris Borg How many streets did the teachers blockade during their strike which incidentally came after they were locked out? how many tourists did the students frighten out of their wits when they were protesting(not striking) how many windscreens did the 'borom' ladies break? how many police officers did the doctors attack during their protest? chris, you're mixing lettuce with cabbages. Keep politics out of it for everyone's sake and try not to remind everyone of those dark days where the protesters used to end up getting beaten up unlike today.
rpace
Jul 15th 2008, 22:24
Everyone seems to be against monoploies and this is the crux. These guys want to remain a monoply whilst the majority of the population do not want as widely exprressed and strenghtened by the political parties. This is the difference from the students/teachers/doctors/architects/telegraph strikes mentioned earlier - they weren't violent, they were defending their rights - MONOPOLY IS NOT A RIGHT.
david wills
Jul 15th 2008, 21:19
gonzi where are your "par idejn sodi"?
P Borg
Jul 15th 2008, 21:09
Well done to Austin Gatt for taking the decisive action that was necessary. He has the guts to challenge and take on unfair, expensive, mediocre, monopolistic services.
If the new way of doing politician had anywhere near the same drive and foresight he would be standing behind Austin Gatt showing a united front not keeping mum. Put your money where your mouth is Joseph!! Words are cheap!
Josephine Srivastava
Jul 15th 2008, 20:31
It's a disgrace due to some Maltese Hooligans the emergency service provided by the Gov. has to be suspended unexpected while people were already out of their home for work, hospital visit and lot of people face horrible situation to get back home. Specially old people, children and pregnant women. As nothing was provided and no body was there to take the responsibility to give any information. Even the police kept silence about the situation. It looks Malta is back to 20 years. Malta is part of E.U and it should not move like this. The country will loose heavy finance due to lack of tourist services. It's a realy shamefull thing for being called Maltese. Malta is country world known for free crime and violence.
I Micallef
Jul 15th 2008, 20:31
The cabinet was gung ho to liberalise the hearses. Where's the cabinet now to solve the problem? The government is looking weak, hesitant and indecisive. What's new? Despite all the illegal action the arrests are just a joke. The country has lost millions of euros in lost productivity, time and credibility. All the millions spent on advertising spent by the Tourism Authority down the drain. A warning to parents now you know EXACTLY what risk your kids go through every morning on their way to school. Vans that don't meet the basic standards of safety and drivers - well the less said the better about these guys.
Gonzi show some initiative and get to grips with the problem.
John Schembri
Jul 15th 2008, 20:18
On entering the airport tunnels I saw a police Land-rover with a flat big magnet fixed to its front ,"picking" up nails from the road.
The transport workers did not win the sympathy of the public with their actions.
Mark Anthony Portelli
Jul 15th 2008, 20:04
I understand that the police are following orders, but they must be more hard on these guys. They can protest how much they want. But when others are paying the price then the law has to defend these citizens.
john muscat
Jul 15th 2008, 19:45
Public Transport Workers have a right to strike but undoubtedly they have no right to stop other people from going to work and earn a living for their families. I plead to the authorities to be tough with these persons. They cannot stop us from going to work by blocking the roads.
The authorites should do their utmost to remove the strikers off the roads, involve the armed forces also, remove their vehicles of the road. Be tough with them they are a shame to our country.
Cedric Busuttil
Jul 15th 2008, 19:39
These so called strikers are striking agianst us civilians. This is unacceptable. One day all this will come to an end. But we should not forget. We should bojkott their services from now on. We have enough alternatives to choose from. I myself will use black taxis from now on. Even though 2 of my near relatives are taxi drivers.
T Fenech
Jul 15th 2008, 19:28
Well done to the Police Force. Keep the good work. No one should have a monopoly as this is the result.
We need proper public transport
Joseph Borg
Jul 15th 2008, 19:10
Just four??? What about the other 400????
l. apap
Jul 15th 2008, 18:54
About time too! Now get the bulldozers, tow trucks, police riot squad and army and get these "people" (sic) together with their ancient (most of them) smoke belching vehicles off our streets and let the emergency services do their job!
I grew up in the violent and civil rights trodden times of the Mintoff years so I would be the last to advocate such measures but surely enough is enough! To strike is one thing. To block the roads, attack other people doing their job and to basically run riot is another thing. Give them a taste of their own medicine. Round up the ring leaders, the hot heads and the louts and the whole thing will crumble like a house of cards.
Even if the Govt was wrong on this one (which it clearly isn't) these louts have no right to blockade Valletta and generally make a nuisance of themselves. Lock them up and thyrow away tghe keys until these people learn (and earn) the right to live in a civilised society.
vincent galea
Jul 15th 2008, 18:39
Police make arrests......please do treat them well when they are in your custody. Mr.Commisioner .Do remember their unparalleled contribution towards our welfare and happiness of the Maltese society.Please Mr.Commisioner do not let us down. I can't bear seeing the news and you hurting them. My God No.... please promise.Their memories will live with us till the end of times.
One of Toyotas leading engineers died young this week. THE WORLD CANNOT AFFORD
SUCH MISFORTUNES. let alone our esteemed amiable drivers .
dgrech
Jul 15th 2008, 18:29
why should the public be held to ransom over prices, let s have more licences its called competion ,thats what we need ,and dear pn how about another 200 taxi licences so we dont keep getting over charged by them as well, cheaper taxis then fewer people would take the risk of drinking and driving , i got charged Lm 15 from paceville to bugibba, only costs Lm 7 from bugibba to the airport
j dimech
Jul 15th 2008, 18:20
Given that being a public transport employee is tantamount to rendering a service to the community at large, there exists a rational to forbid individuals who have a criminal record from being engaged as public transport operatives. Anyone with past convictions especially relating to violence and agressive behaviour should have their licence revoked since past behaviour is deemed to be a reasonable threat to society. Transport operatives should be civil minded citizens who are capable of demonstrating civil behaviours. Seeing what has happened in the past 2 days, the vast majority of strikers are disqualified from being favourably considered as public transport operatives. Let's face it and not mince our words,
our public transport is manned by a crowd of 'hamalli u kriminali', no wonder the service is so shoddy, the output can't be any better because these people do not harness sound human values and qualities .
Randolph Peresso
Jul 15th 2008, 18:17
Well done to the police... though a little bit late!
Everyone has a right to strike, but everyone has a right NOT to strike as well!
These people are litereally shooting at their feet!
They are proving the long standing rumour, that some of these drivers are criminals. The well behaving drivers (the majority) should take this opportunity to unite together against the criminals against them.
Joe Mallia
Jul 15th 2008, 18:14
Goverment should take this opportunity to tackle this issue once and for all. Nobody in the private sector is subsidized and given a guaranteed daily income so why should anybody else.
josef sammut
Jul 15th 2008, 17:49
I never thought of this, but I am all behind you Hon.A.Gatt.
A.Borg
Jul 15th 2008, 17:33
Some points worth knowing.......the bus drivers where subsidised Lm30,000 form our taxes to buy their modern Trucks. Now these trucks are theirs..........not enough , they want to safe guard their Investment by these illegal practices.
Unfortunately, these are the fruit of past SPOILING. The Govt.is now trying to reverse, not he is not right now, but if such things were taken care at time it might have not been this out of hand.
Anyway, well done Mr Gatt, and for drivers and especially Mr Spiteri, please hand them LOLIPOPPS, as this might help them calm down!!!
Josianne Formosa
Jul 15th 2008, 17:30
Buses, mini buses and white taxi drivers' list of gratitudes for assisting their subsidy:
1. traffic jam
2. blocking car parks
3. fuel consumption
4. air pollution
5. threatening people
Joseph Spiteri Staines
Jul 15th 2008, 17:22
In my opinion the action being taken by the drivers is illegal and is not covered by the Industrial Relations Act. If so, this leaves the strikers open to being liable for damages suffered by third parties. Many hoteliers, restaurants, cafes, shops and other entities have all suffered losses and incurred costs running into thousands of Euros. What is stopping these entities getting together and serving a writ for thousands of Euros on the striking organizations. Hitting their pocket hard might make them see reason.
Manuel Micallef
Jul 15th 2008, 17:21
To some of those writing here:-
To start with I condem any violence; But I am not sure how many of you remember when Mintoff faced similar situation with the bus drivers, and the police at that time arrested a few of them.
Do you remember what the PN said at that time? That Mintoff is a dictator!!
Incredible isn't it , how times change or how people change their views in repsect to whom is in government......
C. Schembri
Jul 15th 2008, 17:12
Ohh.. I'm SOOO waiting for their strike to be called off.. so that I may start mine!
As stated in my previous comments:
Some of these people are not even capable of striking, let alone providing quality service! With their chitty chitty bang bang of busses, and pocket-emptying taxis...
I'm willing to boycott such means of transport! On the whole, I might just find better customer care and quality service. I f I die, I'd rather be seen being transported in Regional Roaf on a relative's roofrack!
Chris Borg
Jul 15th 2008, 16:31
anyone remember those students chaining up themselves to Castille in the 70s? And those students blocking the main road of Imsida in 1997? And what about the borom ladies? And what about the teachers' and doctors' strikes? PN loved so much those disruptions.
Dear PN, what goes around comes around.
This is the litmus test for PN's rhetoric about the use of force and about the right to strike....
David Bell
Jul 15th 2008, 16:29
Well, the repercussions have started...cancelled bookings already from visitors to my Guest House who now believe Malta is a battlefield. The public transport drivers treachery will not only ruin them and their reputation (which it has aldready done) but is in danger of destroying the advances Malta has made recently in attracting more visitors. Well done.
james samuel
Jul 15th 2008, 16:13
As an english resident here i am appalled at the impression being given in the conduct of this dispute. I personally have been affected by this and it will probably cost me money.
However i am also surprised by the lack of comment and actions from other members of your government. Is there a rule that only one minister is allowed to speak?
In closing i suggest the government take back the buses and get the army to drive them and arrest anyone who tries to stop them and put them into a holding camp.
T Mifsud
Jul 15th 2008, 16:10
Mr Victor Spiteri, president of the PTA (Public Thugs Association) should be ashamed of himself for stating that he: will not tolerate any violence towards the Association's members. Excuse me?! The police should arrest not just six but at least 200 who broke the law with evidence! Is that the security we offer to the center of government building? Are a gang of thug bus drivers able to overcome the AFM?!! Where is the army?
Moreover, a thank you goes to our tourism frontliners who destroyed the reputation of Malta that so many sectors had worked for so hard. It is high time that these mobsters are removed from the streets. And please, government should not to waste tax payer's money and squander them on futile 'Customer Relations' courses abroad for bus drivers/taxi drivers. We all know if we had a return on the investment, results of which are clearly evident in the respect given to consumers by bus and taxi drivers.
I ask Minister Gatt to hold on strong, uphold the law for every single breach, including illegal parking, illegal gathering without permit, blocking of roads, disturbance of public peace, violence, vandalism, police assault, assault on government assets
g.c.Forte
Jul 15th 2008, 16:07
I strongly condemn the attitude that these drivers are doing but please,they are not criminals,because when somebody plays with your bread & butter you; who ever you are will not do less. I condemn as well those who before the election promised and gave their word to
them and others,like the trappers and hunters, the dockyard workers and all the rest that we will soon hear about them. It is all irrelevant if they (the workers)are right or wrong, those responsible should have spoken the truth before the election,not to win the votes they lied to everybody. I suggests to all these workers to get good lawyers and with those papers that this government gave them before the election will go to the highest E.U. court of justice and show them how this government betray them to steal their votes.A note for the new M.L.P. leader.......Do not let them(the P.N.) use you. Il-Lupu ibiddel sufu u mhux ghemilu. I know what I am saying.
Andrew Borg-Cardona
Jul 15th 2008, 15:54
Prize for inane remark of the week goes to ISOBEL MCGONIGLE
E. Azzopardi
Jul 15th 2008, 15:50
The government should work out how many hours were lost in various departments due to the blockages. The government should also tell private firms and companies of their hours lost and also potential business lost.. Any body else can come forward with other loss due to the blocking of the roads. This must be realistic. When worked out get a big calculator and add all up. Send bill to the association and if need court and also European Court until last euro sent is paid. If they have to sell their buses to pay, then so be it. Then they can go and register.
j scerri
Jul 15th 2008, 15:01
Does the SAG (Special Assignment Group) still exist?
If yes, where are they?
Waiting to rescue a cat from up a tree?
m farrugia
Jul 15th 2008, 14:42
Police, just get these violent men out of the streets into jail at once. How dare they stop a tourist bus and steal its batteries? Are we in Johoannesburg or Malta?
This is a cowboy country where lots of psataz are allowed to stop in the middle of the road to buy a loaf of bread from Giormina in the middle of St Pauls Bay main road jamming traffic from the Burmarrad roundabout, but if you park on a yellow line for some minutes prudently without obstructing traffic you swiftly get a parking ticket.
Enough is enough. Let's try hard to civilise our citizens by severe punishment, if that's the only way they learn. We have to start by first educating our police and wardens and setting the right priorities.
C Borg
Jul 15th 2008, 14:35
If the public transport workers want to make their voice heard, surely violence is not the right way. On the contrary, they are turning the whole nation against them. Personally i think it is time to liberalize the sector, and take actions against those few workers who are not only misbehaving but influencing their collegues, to react in the same way.
F Spiteri
Jul 15th 2008, 14:32
The only comment deserved: ABOUT TIME!!!!!!
The law is being broken ... so it is about time that "Police make arrests"! Something widely observed is the fact that the majority of the police officers are not the same as I once recall. To be a police officer is a vocation and not to drive around Malta in a provided car eating pizzas and drinking colas!
Please, we want the Police to ACT!!!!
C. Schembri
Jul 15th 2008, 14:25
Another six bite the dust!
Some of these people are not even capable of striking, let alone providing quality service! With their chitty chitty bang bang of busses, and pocket-emptying taxis...
Get these few cowardly criminals off our streets! Malta deveserves much better!
Anthony Briffa
Jul 15th 2008, 13:58
The Maltese are waiting for serious enforcement of the law. These hooligans should not be allowed to break public peace and order anymore, besides causing havoc to the normal lives of law abiding ciitizens and tourists. Action is now overdue. This essential service is being denied to the same people who with their taxes subsidized them for so long without getting any service in return. How can the likes of the characters we have seen yesterday trying to break into Castille improve in anyway? It is a known fact how they verbally abuse the passengers and keep getting away with it. They need to be taught a lesson that will make them think more than twice before repeating this charade. The people are behing the government in this case, so ACTION, ACTION, ACTION.
Eman Pulis
Jul 15th 2008, 13:57
Mr. Victor Spiteri should tender his resignation. With him at the helm of the association the bus drivers have reached the point of no return and are eventually paying a high price for their immoral actions. A number of drivers are being arrested, the govt, the opposition parties as well as the public in general has turned against them. A big well done to Dr. Austin Gatt for remaining assertive as well as Dr. Joseph Muscat for arguing in the best national interest. "'Flimkien Kollox Possibli' back to you Mr. Spiteri!"
Vanessa Pace
Jul 15th 2008, 13:35
If you ask me all of them should be arrested and locked up .... for breaking the public peace, disruption, causing chaos, gathering as a mob, illegally parking vehicles and obstructing public roadways, indicent exposure, fighting, swearing .... you name it, the counts are endless!!! Are these so called 'transport workers' that tourists and locals have to face on a daily basis?? Is this the kind of man maltese men are made of? This is the impression our European counterparts are being given due to a handful of uncontrollable bullies ... that maltese people are rough, tough and ill mannered ... which of course is what comes out when you read and watch the articles in relation to this strike. The police should put an end to this lawfully!! What a disgrace and what an embarrasment to be called Maltese!!!
katie micallef
Jul 15th 2008, 13:31
The government needs a no tolerance policy. Arrest the lot of them if need be, there is no way they should be allowed to cause so much disruption to peoples lives and to react so violently - this is where their right to strike ends.
carmen caruana
Jul 15th 2008, 13:27
Fight fight fight for your right.....
JOE CURMI
Jul 15th 2008, 13:27
WELL DONE AND KEEP IT UP! IF I HAD TO RUSH UP AND CHARGE POLICE OFFICERS UP CASTILLE STEPS I AM SURE THAT I WOULD BE ARRESTED. LOOK AT THE PICTURES IN THE CENTRE PAGES OF TODAY'S TIMES AND THE POLICE CAN START BY CHARGING THESE AS THEY ARE EASILY RECOGNIZED!
J Oatmon
Jul 15th 2008, 13:24
Violence against others cannot be tolerated in a civilised country.
All the selfish violent hooligans actions should be captured on police video (do the police have video cameras - if not why not?) and then identified and later arrested, and made to pay for all damage done to property and persons, or go to jail.
A resolute approach is needed to violence whenever it appears.
Fiona-Rachel
Jul 15th 2008, 13:21
And not a moment to soon :)
R. Gatt
Jul 15th 2008, 13:20
Awesome news, this made my day after I spent 1.5 hrs driving to work.
Edward Zammit
Jul 15th 2008, 13:18
The Government should remove them from the streets by force otherwise people will continue getting hurt like what happened to several Police officers yesterday.
Joseph Casha
Jul 15th 2008, 13:16
FInally. 6 Down and about 250 to go :)