Four prison wardens to face assault charges

philip camilleri

Aug 17th 2008, 21:35

Answers to be Answered
How come that a few months ago a Maltese resident at Kordin prisons was not granted permission to attend his daughter's Holy Communion ceremony on security basis, and this dutch inmate was granted a permission to visit his mother outside prison.Was there anything wrong for his mother to visit him inside the prison?

Randolph Peresso

Aug 16th 2008, 01:09

While agreeing that such incidents ought have never happened, I don't agree they reflect badly on our country. Had they not been arraigned in court, then yes. But since they are being charged, it means that the state has human rights at heart. There is always going to be some who break them..... that's why there's law enforcement and jurisdiction.

Alexander Borg

Aug 16th 2008, 01:03

True to the same old pattern in Malta these four prison wardens will get away scot free.

Joseph Ellis

Aug 16th 2008, 00:44

I do not agree with Franco Farrugia. That forces of order abuse their powers is not unique to Malta and happens in many places. We have just witnessed Italian policemen being sentenced for beating up protesters at the 2000 G8 summit in Genoa and the Menendes affair has seriously undermined the credibility of the Metropolitan Police.

It is positive that the rule of law is brought to bear on such abusive behaviour and that no one feels that he enjoys impunity. However, I wonder whether such a quick arraignment would have been the case had the victim not been a Dutch citizen. I think it is unprecedented that the inquiring magistrate was reportedly accompanied in the on-site inquiry by a Dutch Embassy official. I wonder how things would have evolved had the victim been Maltese or a Third County National. It may well have been the case that the proverbial cover-up would have taken place.

After all, no one has yet been arraigned after the much more serious Safi incidents of more than two years ago even though the wishy-washy Depasquale inquiry identified at least one soldier who committed violent acts.

Denis Catania

Aug 15th 2008, 23:30

This should not happen to humans, even if they are inmates.Unless the fractures happened while they tried to bring him back into custody. If it happened after he was captured, shame on the 4 amigos.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 15th 2008, 21:18

This does not augur well for the forces of order in this country. First, we have the Police who have allegedly beaten up a foreigner and also arresting apparently honest citizens who protested about the said Police's behaviour; now we have this!

While it is true that these people are, after all, individuals who have sometimes a herculean task to keep order, they have to do so in a professional and humane manner.

If found guilty, it will be shameful not only for the uniform they wear but it will also reflect badly on the country as a whole.