Detention services arrest journalist and photographer

A journalist and a photographer were arrested by the detention services for taking pictures of soldiers looking for two immigrants who escaped from the Safi centre.

Maltastar reported that Fabrizio Ellul said he was driving through Triq Il-Lewżiet in Kirkop with a photographer when they noticed soldiers combing the street for the immigrants. When they started taking pictures, they were approached by the soldiers and asked to climb into a nearby van for questioning by an army sergeant.

Mr Ellul said they were asked to hand over their cameras. They refused but the officers insisted that they erase the photographs they had taken. However, the journalist and the photographer argued they had every right to photograph any activity in the street, especially one that was in the public interest.

Mr Ellul said the soldiers would not budge and they were only released when he agreed to comply.

The online portal said that "such actions are not expected from public officers in a democratic country".

"The soldiers' hostility towards the (journalist and photographer) is unwarranted, especially when considering that on several occasions, (they) bring to light the difficulties... soldiers face while on duty".

Major Ivan Consiglio, the army's press officer said the soldiers allegedly implicated were detached from the army and attached to the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs. Nevertheless, the press office deplored such acts against the media.

The incident was also condemned by the Institute of Journalists and the Journalists Committee.

The Justice and Home Affairs Ministry said it regretted any misunderstanding that could have arisen during the incident. It recommended that journalists immediately identify themselves when reporting in similar instances in order to avoid such incidents.