Police investigating hateful YouTube clips
The police are investigating You Tube video clips showing people with physical and mental disabilities being taunted and harassed in Valletta, the police said yesterday.
One of the videos, which has been pulled off the video-sharing site, shows a man teasing a physically disabled woman on a bus. The woman tries to ward off the man poking fun at her and eventually breaks down in tears as the cameraman carries on filming despite her visible distress.
The National Commission Persons with Disability condemned the video, and asked the Police Commissioner to take all necessary action against this "hate-crime" that has been described as sickening.
Asked whether the case is being investigated, a spokesman for the police confirmed that an investigation was on adding: "The case is being investigated by the police cyber crime unit and is still ongoing, so it is not prudent to comment further."
The videos posted under the title Maltaspicuti show vulnerable people being followed around and ridiculed by a cameraman despite their insistence on being left alone.
As mocking lyrics play in the background of the edited video, a man teases a physically disabled woman on a bus.
According to the Criminal Code, a person guilty of harassment can get a one to three-month jail term and a fine ranging from €2,329 to €4,658.
The commission appealed to disabled people, their families and especially NGOs working in the sector to show solidarity with the victims of this new form of hate-crime by condemning the bullies and demanding suitable redress.
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James A. Tyrrell
Oct 15th 2008, 20:11
@Scott MacDonald. You're probably right Scot although on the other hand you may be wrong. If you go back through the lives of many serial killers you find that as children they took delight in torturing and bullying anyone or anything not strong enough to stand up to them. Maybe an extreme example but I'm a firm believer in not taking chances.
As for my Northern Ireland Style punishment I was simply referring to a good kicking as I'm an ex police officer. I'm referring of course to the RUC. Anyway I've already made arrangements to visit Valletta on another matter during my upcoming visit so who knows what I may come across!
Scott MacDonald
Oct 15th 2008, 11:28
@ Paul Barrett - Thanks for your comment and thanks to the editors too. I do fully appreciate that their job is a very difficult one and I apologise for seeing red in my initial comments.
@ James A Tyrrell - well said! Although now that I've calmed down a bit, Northern Island Style would be bit too permanent, especially as they’ll probably see the error of their ways, once they’re old enough to shave or have their own life experiences that put them in their place!
Leo Bartolo
Oct 15th 2008, 11:09
Who wants to bet that the names of these monsters will not be made known to the media IF they are caught. However I hope that I lose my bet.
Pierre Agius
Oct 15th 2008, 08:28
Whoever did these clips, is truly a disgrace to our society. We should belive in solidarity and compassion. I urge the police to do what is necessary to bring these perpetrators to justice and send a message to our society that such dispicable behaviors are not tolerated in our Malta.
Paul Barrett
Oct 14th 2008, 22:04
@ Scott MacDonald
You may not realise it but every entry is checked by the Times Editing staff prior to being posted. Not every comment is decent enough to be posted, either through breaching some quite sensible ethical filter or incitement that could cause offence.
The Times staff have very difficult decisions to make and they actually do quite an excellent job.
Many comments on this particular article may have been denied for quite sensible reasons - my own was, I am not upset about it - I believe I made a fair comment but it is the Times Staff right to disagree.
p.s. This probably will not be authorised either but again, I believe that it is useful information for users of the comments section to be aware of.
James A. Tyrrell
Oct 14th 2008, 20:58
The point here folks is that although I have read a lot of comments condemning these incidents apart from a couple of tourists no one came to the aid of these people. That I find almost as disgusting as the scum with the camera.
Why did Maltese people stand by and watch this happening? Does everyone think it is okay to allow handicapped people to be bullied and harassed in this way? Given the number of big brave hunters in the country I’m surprised someone didn’t step up to the mark.
The fact that the police are investigating these incidents is a good sign but I hope they don’t stop with investigating the idiots with the camera. Are they also going to investigate the bus drivers who make life hell for these people? It’s bad enough that these poor people are bullied by stupid little kids but surely they should expect a bit of respect from public servants.
As for the invitation to come to Valletta I’ll be in Malta in a few weeks time and more than happy to join anyone who wants to teach these scum a lesson, N. Ireland style.
Scott MacDonald
Oct 14th 2008, 18:22
Just like to add that my original comment was edited, probably because it gave my strong opinion on the justice that should be administered if these culprits should be found.
Further to this and just in case you cowardly culprits should find this, my sister is blind and mentally retarded and if I had seen such an incidence as described on the bus, it would be you looking for justice from the courts.
I just hope that one day you’ll realize that life can be very hard and cruel for some. The only justice here so far is that your pathetic bullying is a drop in the ocean compared to the struggle that your chosen victims face over a lifetime.
BE VERY PROUD OF YOURSELVES!!!
Charles Micallef
Oct 14th 2008, 17:13
I think that this was disgusting from the first instance
hence I did what most people did. and not give the
culprits the satisfaction of looking at this sickening video
Scott MacDonald
Oct 14th 2008, 15:41
I love the way that everyone has so much enthusiasm when commenting on other articles such as hunting or parking tickets, but nothing here, just a shamefully mute nation on this one!
Ms M Bugeja
Oct 14th 2008, 14:33
When I saw these clips on YouTube and the comments of other Maltese praising 'Maltaspicuti' I immediately condemned their actions with a comment and without any hesitation they insulted me and other persons who condemned his/her acts. They were very immature in their comments and also challenged me to meet them in Valletta so they could start a fight. I sincerely hope the police discover who these immature persons are so they could learn their lesson!