The Attorney General yesterday asked a court to revoke a temporary injunction against police action to confiscate gaming machines at eight arcades.

The police began a nationwide crackdown on Thursday targeting some 80 arcades and confiscated 23 machines before some owners ran to their lawyers and managed to secure a temporary warrant of prohibitory injunction against confiscation of their own equipment.

The warrant was granted by Mr Justice Alberto Magri in the First Hall of the Civil Court.

In the application before the judge, the Attorney General said that in their request for the warrant, the owners had admitted that they were running gambling outlets without a licence.

The police were carrying out their duty by elevating the evidence, which was their right by law, the AG said.

He pointed out that a warrant could only be issued to protect civil and constitutional rights but not for a person suspected of committing a crime.

The Attorney General also held that the decision was not within the jurisdiction of the First Hall of the Civil Court as it did not concern civil or constitutional rights.