Lowell files another appeal

Far right leader Norman Lowell yesterday filed a constitutional appeal over his conviction for inciting racial hatred and insulting the President.

Mr Lowell had been given a two-year jail term suspended for four for speeches he had made in Rabat and Qawra in 2006. He had also been fined €500.

He appealed that sentence but the appeal was dismissed last October after it was found that his fundamental human rights had not been violated by a judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Another court then dismissed a constitutional application filed by Mr Lowell.

The presiding judge had noted that the appeals court had legitimately thrown our Mr Lowell's case, because he omitted essential details.

Among the reasons for the dismissal, the appeals court had complained that Mr Lowell's application did not have a short summary of the facts of the case.

But Mr Lowell criticised this as unjust yesterday.

Speaking in front of the Great Siege Monument in Valletta, he said: "I still believe in the supreme law of the land. The Constitution protects me. It guarantees freedom of expression, even one that shocks and disturbs".

Mr Lowell said that he could not accept a highly subjective appeal verdict that threw out the whole concept of freedom on a subjective whim.

"Is it possible that the Maltese court throws away freedom of expression on a shameful interpretation?" he asked.

Mr Lowell said he could not see himself as a criminal deserving of a vindictively harsh sentence of two years in prison for defending his country.