Circus legal action criticised

The Circus Animal Rights Coalition yesterday expressed its full support and solidarity with the people sued for libel by circus organisers, calling it a "cheap and dirty attempt" to silence people concerned about animal rights.

J.S. Productions Ltd, acting on behalf of Circo Fantasy, had filed suits against Micheline Sciberras, Director General of the Education Directorate, presenter Moira Delia, Mario Galea, parliamentary secretary for the elderly and community care and In-Nazzjon editor Alex Attard for implying that the circus animals were being treated cruelly.

The coalition said Circo Fantasy and J.S. Productions were trying to "frighten and threaten people from voicing their concerns against animal circuses and in favour of animal rights," adding that the libel victims had their full support.