Musumeci requests police to investigate Astrid Vella

Paul Borg

Jun 30th 2009, 05:39

@ Carmel Caruana, I wouldn't write "Astrid Vella Libel Fund"on the envelope, you never know who's hands it might fall into before arriving at its destination. Put that in a note inside with your contact details. Also few people seem to use postcodes.

For anyone who missed it:
FAA has responded to calls on Times online to set up a fund to help cover Astrid's legal fees in order to fight for Malta's freedom of speech. Donations for the Astrid Vella Libel Fund may be posted to 143/5 Tower Road Sliema or sent by Direct bank transfer to:

BoV A/c 400-1564-7670 or
HSBC A/c 006-145437-001.

Receipts will be sent to all who include their contact details

@Martin Baron & Mario Mercieca; your comparing architects to lawyers defending clients is not correct. Architects are not defending lives or proving innocence. A better comparison would be if a lawyer or certified public accountant were exposed helping his clients to avoid tax by legal but unethical means. This would be bad enough from any professional, but if he were an elected politician it would be even worse.

Romano Cassar

Jun 28th 2009, 21:39

@Martin Baron and Mario Mercieca.
Society pays dearly when MEPA (the E stands for Environment!) gives in to the arguments of an architect like Musumeci. In the Bahrija case, the case officers and the Directorate recommended refusal, not once but four times, citing a large number of regulations and policies. Each time the DCC, in its wisdom, overturned their recommendations.

In April 2009, the DCC decided that the works were being carried out according to the approved conditions, when the MEPA chairman himself admitted recently that the conditions were breached. MEPA are breaking their own policies and apparently not giving a hoot about the effect on the environment and on the public at large.

To add insult to injury, Musumeci has requested the police to investigate Astrid. I wonder if he actually went to a police station to lodge a report. This sort of thing is becoming a favourite tactic with Musumeci. Some time ago he was aggrieved when a photographer took a photo of him, in a public place, with a MEPA board member. I wonder what the result of that investigation yielded.

charles zammit

Jun 27th 2009, 23:07

The people stand foursquare behind ms astrid vella. keep on doing the good job ms vella,

laurence schembri

Jun 27th 2009, 19:10

@ Mario Mercieca
So an astute lawyer will do his best that his client escape jail. What would you say, if the next victim is you?
Same with land, if this rape carries on because of some smart Alec, what excuse do we give to future generations?

A.Sciberras

Jun 27th 2009, 16:44

FAA keep up the good work

Myriam Vella

Jun 27th 2009, 12:01

Astrid Keep up the good work and do not give up!

B.Cremona

Jun 27th 2009, 11:54

Dont think this was a very good move by Mr.Musumeci. Lost any sympathy whatsoever. Just hope Astrid won't be intimidated by this. Keep up the great job. We should be thankfull for people like you.

J. Portelli

Jun 27th 2009, 10:38

Astrid we support and love you!!!

The difference between greedy arcitects and Astrid Vella, speaks volumes.

Joseph Borg

Jun 26th 2009, 23:46

What are the police to investigate exactly???

Peter Gatt

Jun 26th 2009, 22:58

Her comments are indirectly advertising for free Arch Musumerci's ability.!!! I did not know that free publicity is illegal!!!

Rodnick Abdilla

Jun 26th 2009, 22:35

They call them self democratic party :) .

This is the democracy of speech ?

Joe Fenech

Jun 26th 2009, 21:56

All I know is that personal business and politics don't mix. Any sense of ethics in the country?

P Agius

Jun 26th 2009, 20:52

Unbeleivable.....Don't worry Astrid....You acted bravely.

B Sant

Jun 26th 2009, 20:19

Keep up the good work Astrid

E. Azzopardi

Jun 26th 2009, 18:03

Ms Astrid Vella is doing a wealth of good to this country. The vast majority of the citizens are behind her as she is genuine and has nothing to gain. We should all grow up and pull the same rope for the benefit of this little island. Hope is eternal, I suppose.

M. Baron

Jun 26th 2009, 17:23

Although like many i am against any development in a valley, we must tread carefully and not blast out with a blunderbuss in our criticism, however much this might be justified. Mr Musumeci as an architect is surely acting in his professional capacity. No-one thinks of pilloring lawyers because of whom they represent in court now do they? or Doctors because we object to their patients,etc.

Carmel J. Caruana

Jun 26th 2009, 14:45

May I publicly thank Astrid Vella for the work that she is doing. We need more of her type to save this country from environmental ruin.

Mr Borg - should cheques be made out to 'Astrid Vella Libel Fund '? What is the postcode to '143/5 Tower Road Sliema '?

Mario Mercieca

Jun 26th 2009, 13:58

What about setting up a fund for Musumeci to defend himself from the allegations made by FAA? The job of an architect is to try and get permits for his cients, while that of a lawyer is to get his client out of jail, even if he knows that his client is a criminal, let alone values and all that.

r ferriggi

Jun 26th 2009, 13:24

I hope that this guy does not, in ANYTIME in the future,,,,, say that he is environmentally conscious or anything in that sense.

or even mention the word ''environment'' in any public meeting or get together or tent discussion or walk obout or election campaign!!! etc.

because then i would really say it is pure shamelessness.

C Malllia

Jun 26th 2009, 13:16

I fail to understand what crime Astrid Vella has committed, Mr Musumeci, to involve the police. If a person makes serious allegations, open a libel case, as others do. We had lots of politicians and journalists in the past hailing from different political divides who did this, without trying to criminalise the issue.

effie carbonaro

Jun 26th 2009, 12:47

sometimes they say that truth hurts.is this the case?

Paul Xuereb

Jun 26th 2009, 12:47

Musumeci should break away from the stereotype architect and go into Green Architecture, working to conserve the environment rather than supporting developments that destroy it.

laurence schembri

Jun 26th 2009, 12:47

It is called Freedom of Speech.

nicholas coppini

Jun 26th 2009, 11:21

I really hope that the valley development is stopped. What's good for the goose is good for the gander MEPA should really learn this saying and practice it.
I waited 24 months for a permit to be granted to me to have an additional 2 rooms in my house in 1995. I was told at the time that Lm 500 would get me a permit within 3 weeks but my architect and I insisted to go the right way so I waited 2 years and suffered so much in the process. MEPA seems never to have changed its unexplainable ways of doing things. Its like a UFO - you can see it but can't understand how it works. SOOOOO STINKY! We all trust you Astrid - keep your effort UP - you are a fearless and remarkable woman with NO hidden agenda. BRAVA

C Muscat

Jun 26th 2009, 11:15

Shame on Mr Musumeci and his assistants in this issue. All my support to NGO and in this case to Astrid Vella. We need people that has only one agenda and no conflicts of interest. How can you be part of the institution on one side and a client on the other side applying to the same institution? Where is the MEPA reshuffle as stated during the last election? Shame on any one not allowing public speakers like Astrid Vella.

S. Caruana

Jun 26th 2009, 10:31

Keep up the good work, MEPA!!!!!! You are really managing to ruin Malta! Well done!
Soon architectural tourists will be invited to come over to see what a mess MEPA made through bad planning. As things are going, MEPA offices shall soon become a museum since there won't be any more land to DESTROY!!!!!

For Musumeci & PN President - this just shows why politicians dedicate so much time to politics - Malta jghodd lil min taf!!!!

MEPA - two weights, two measures.

P.S. By the way, today i shed a tear for Mr. Angelo Xuereb, who complianed about MEPA and the church next to the Palace. Miskin!!!! Look what a nice Hotel he had built for us to enjoy in Qawra and how he boarded out a good part of the beach for us to enjoy safety!!!!

What a farce this Malta has become!

Michael Hoey

Jun 26th 2009, 10:26

Hmmm. As an innocent Englishman in these parts I have ben trying to figure out what the initials MEPA stand for. Is it true that it's "Multiple Excuses for Planning Abuses"?!

Mark Galea

Jun 26th 2009, 09:29

Does this mean that no one can write his opinion on these blogs for fear of being investigated by the police? Or people in higher positions prefer to have us live in the shade?

@All those that write in these blogs
We may not agree (many times !), but we cannot be stopped from commenting.

Sandro Pace

Jun 26th 2009, 09:16

I give total support to this initiative. The first priority should be to conservation especially in the precious little unspoilt places we have. Any attempt to disturb this not only creates dangerous precedents, but exposes egoism and greed, out of common heritage. The persons insisting on this project does not get any stars for environmental conscience.

This is no case of adjoining building, but a villa in the middle of nowhere.

The PN and the govt.'s political responsability cannot hide behind authorities' regulations. It's either spoilt or unspoilt.

c bartolo

Jun 26th 2009, 08:50

any citizen who loves his land will be foursquare behind Astrid Vella... She has managed to make the maltese aware of what is going on in their countryside... she is selflessly trying to preserve the little that is left of the maltese countryside.... Never give up ,Astrid Vella, what you are doing is noble and you have my full support....

S.Sammut

Jun 26th 2009, 06:43

My full solidarity with Astrid Vella who is doing a sterling job for the ailing environment in Malta.

Mary Ann Borg

Jun 26th 2009, 00:38

The country needs people to keep a close look on the envirornment but I'm not sure I agree with Astrid Vella's way of going around saying things. Just saw her on Favourite Channel and the way she speaks makes me wonder if she thinks she's running this country all by herself! Yes, she has the right to voice concern but she also needs to understand that it's the government of the day that runs the country and not her. She will be more credible if she also picks up on things that are not connected with politicians or government people. What comes to mind as I write is the debacle the government was about to do at St John's co-cathedral and this one of V Scerri. On both counts I agree with her but something still tells me she should also create the same fuss on other non-political issues. I hope she will not also turn out to be another 'Dr Scicluna' who was hidden as an ecomonics expert only to contest (and succeed) in becoming a Labour MEP.

A Attard

Jun 25th 2009, 21:28

This sounds like a case of "When you don't like the message, shoot the messenger!"

Joe Fenech

Jun 25th 2009, 21:17

All I know is that someone who is into business should not be in politics. You know...conflict of interests, ethics and all that stuff!

lesley kreupl

Jun 25th 2009, 21:09

Whatever happened to “freedom of speech”?
Ms Vella has nothing to fear from a police investigation, it is merely a waste of her precious time and money. What are the macho gentlemen in question trying to prove? That they are bigger and stronger and more powerful than the wonderful, brilliant, hard working, petite Astrid Vella? Are they so scared of her that they need to muzzle her? Shame on you guys and the legal system in this country!
Astrid, all honest Maltese, Gozitans and ex-pats who know how to think using their brains and not bank accounts are behind you.

Marco Cremona

Jun 25th 2009, 21:02

I have read and re-read Astrid's online comments and there is NOTHING, I repeat, NOTHING in it that is libellous in any way.

laurence schembri

Jun 25th 2009, 20:56

It is called Freedom of Speech.

a attard

Jun 25th 2009, 19:05

Astrid Vella with all other NGO’s are doing Sterling Unpaid work in regards to local environmental concerns. I have no doubt that many people are grateful for this. The country needs people like you........

Henry J Bonett

Jun 25th 2009, 17:56

Absolutely ridiculous. Here we are discussing a matter which does not pertain exclusively to the legislative in nature. In asking the Police Commisioner to hold an ivestigation on whether he abused the law, Victor Scerri has alrady done nothing but cloud the issue. Likewise Musumeci. Values are not subject to legislation BUT they are certainly open to public discussion. This is not Iran. This move is certainly medieval, as Mario Tabone Vassallo aptly put it.

Paul Borg

Jun 25th 2009, 17:21

FAA has responded to calls on yesterday's Times online to set up a fund to help cover Astrid's legal fees in order to fight for Malta's freedom of speech. Donations for the Astrid Vella Libel Fund may be posted to 143/5 Tower Road Sliema or sent by Direct bank transfer to:

BoV A/c 400-1564-7670 or
HSBC A/c 006-145437-001.

Receipts will be sent to all who include their contact details

D Camilleri

Jun 25th 2009, 15:59

I would like to show my support towards Ms Astrid Vella and will her to stand up to this very LUCKY and PERSUASIVE architect, and not be intimidated.

Mario Tabone-Vassallo

Jun 25th 2009, 15:37

If anyone deserves a monument or a special parliamentary commendation it is Astrid Vella. Instead of being aided to serve our country she is harassed.What Astrid Vella comments about, is of grave public interest. Not only should she not be sued, she should be applauded. If what she states is fallacious, arguments should suffice to show up her error. Efforts to further harass her, increase her workload, divert her attention from working for the good of the country are shameful. I have full trust in our judiciary, despite a case where the truth was quoted, but still considered libellous! But defence takes time and effort. It is medieval, harks back to the Monroy years, invites the people to rise up and fight for their rights. This is the European Union and free speech, unless gratuitously false, should be defended at all cost. Not only do we not learn from the colonial years or the dreadful seventies and eighties, but we refine the techniques. We are shameless.

Claudine Cassar

Jun 25th 2009, 15:19

I think that this is crazy!

What are they going to investigate Astrid for exactly? The serious crime of speaking her own mind?

The police force is already swept off its feet with all the hold-ups and burglaries we are experienced - now they are going to have to waste their time with a pointless 'investigation' that at the end of the day is seen as being just an attempt to muzzle a woman who is trying to preserve our valleys and countryside.

JF Vassallo Ebejer

Jun 25th 2009, 13:28

No matter which party is in government, Malta needs people like Astrid Vella – courageous, determined, honest and committed.

I urge all people who realize the importance of the work that Ms. Vella does, to declare their support for her in these challenging times.

Evelyn bonello

Jun 25th 2009, 13:03

I really admire Astrid Vella for her voluntary work on environmental issues.
Mr Musumeci and his client as politicians should give good examples more than others on planning issues. I am very sorry to say that this bahrija case put people's mentality down and in a hopeless state on ODZ planning.

mario mifsud

Jun 25th 2009, 12:59

I do belive Mr Musumeci is clean
but on the other hand one is curious why his application to build a farmhouse was granted while on the other hand an application to replace windows and a door was rejected. it seems that Mr Musumeci is capable to submit applications that convince the mepa board

Anthony Slater

Jun 25th 2009, 12:53

All architects should be ethically obliged to advise their clients about applying for permits in ecologically sensitive areas