Compensation to former tortured prison guard not yet awarded
Former prison guard Anthony Mifsud is still waiting to receive the €186,000 he was awarded in compensation for being tortured by policemen 28 years ago.
Mr Mifsud was wrongfully accused of helping prisoners escape in 1982 and was savagely beaten under interrogation until he gave a false confession at gunpoint.
“I’m not thinking about the money, I just want justice to be done. This is not fair,” the 51-year-old told The Sunday Times.
His compensation money is accumulating interest, but since he cannot work, the delay in payment means he is still dependent on his family, something he finds degrading.
“I still take a pill for the shock every day. I am also disabled. I don’t have the strength you have. If I go to work I will get tired and leave.”
If the incident had never taken place, and Mr Mifsud had spent the past 28 years with a part-time annual salary of €7,000, he would have earned more than he was granted in compensation last September.
When he appealed, his lawyer had calculated he was actually owed around €1.2 million, but for “expecting more than he was due by law”, the Constitutional Court ordered Mr Mifsud to pay 20 per cent of court fees.
“That is sacrilegious. You are getting me to pay when I have done nothing wrong,” he says.
“They took away my job and my life... I spent three years in prison for nothing. They framed me. They tarnished my reputation.”
After three years awaiting trial in prison between 1982 and 1985 a jury found him not guilty of helping Louis Bartolo and Ahmed Khalil Habib escape.
Even though Mr Mifsud remembers his ordeal in graphic detail, he smiles in disbelief.
“I got a call in the morning and they told me to go to the prison immediately because two prisoners had escaped. My car failed to start so I got on to a bus.”
After being transferred from one office to another, he was placed on a chair. The officers in charge told him they knew he helped the prisoners escape but since Mr Mifsud said he had no idea what they were talking about, they beat him until he almost lost consciousness.
He was attacked with a cane and threatened with a diving knife and a gun.
“I remember feeling something cold at the back of my head. And they started counting ‘One, two, three... where is Louis Bartolo?’”
Eventually he agreed to “lie”, after being told his other option was to be killed.
“From my cell I called for the doctor but they never sent one. I couldn’t even eat or drink because of the pain,” Mr Mifsud, who was 22 at the time, said.
What hurts him most is that the policemen who terrorised him got off scot-free as legal action could not be taken against them since the case was time-barred.
He therefore filed a compensation suit in the civil court against his assailants: Police Inspector Joseph Psaila, former Police Superintendent Carmelo Bonello, former Police Commissioner Lawrence Pullicino and the current Police Commissioner, who represents the State.
Even though Mr Mifsud won the case, the perpetrators had their portion of the compensation capped at a combined €25,000 by a Constitutional Court.
The rest, €161,000, is owed by the State, meaning it will come from taxpayers’ money.
“Till now I have received nothing. I am waiting. I don’t want to do anything else for now. They think they are dealing with a little boy. I am going by the law. But there is a limit,” he says.
Mr Mifsud, who loved the justice system so much that he wanted to be a part of it, is left questioning whether the law is really equal for everyone.
“It’s not fair that you treat a man like an animal... and you get away with it. It is like telling people they can rob and kill. I didn’t take the law into my own hands,” he said.
“I suffered in my life. And I still suffer to this day, because of what they did to me. I just want to be given my dues... Not knowing where you stand drives you crazy.”
Last week Mr Mifsud filed a constitutional application seeking compensation over undue delays in two court cases. During his trial, the court had found that his right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty had both been violated.
Meanwhile, the case he had instituted in May 1987 against Supt Bonello, Supt Psaila, and the Police Commissioner for subjecting him to inhumane treatment dragged on from 1987 to 2008.
He said the delays in the conclusion of the two court cases were unjustified and had caused him distress.
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David Buttigieg
Jan 25th 2010, 13:27
@N Spiteri,
Ofcourse injustices occur under any government, the world over, and yes, definitely under a PN government too!
However, please tell us any instances under said PN government where:
1. People were TORTURED by police officers.
2. Students were brutally beaten up by police officers.
3. Private schools were closed down.
4. Newspapers were set on fire.
5. People beaten up, tear gassed and fired upon with police assistance!
6. Curias destroyed by the "aristocracy of the workers".
9. People terrified to speak out because of fear of VIOLENT, STATE CONDONED retribution?
10. The name of the Leader of the opposition being censored on state TV
11. "Foreign Interference Acts"
etc. etc. etc!
Evarist Saliba
Jan 25th 2010, 11:51
It is a shame that some contributors to this exchange of views are more interested in scoring party political points than in defending the rights of, and seeking the application of justice to, an innocent victim of proved state terrorism under one government and perceived state indifference under another.
The time has long passed when fine legalistic points should give way JUSTICE.
R. Zammit
Jan 25th 2010, 08:49
What a disgrace!!! While this poor man is still haunted by the malice of those hooligans as instilled during those dark ages, he has not even yet been compensated!! How low can people in authority get!!
Mr. Mifsud’s life had been completely robbed off as from a young age! The trauma still lives with him after all these years; and to top it all what has been due to him in compensation had been subjected for execution at the hands of our usual inefficient, spineless, irresponsible; laid back, red-taped officials in authority. No remorse whatsoever!! Whoever are those delaying the compensation from being paid are just another bunch of brats similar to those thugs who had inflicted torture to this gentleman!
I wonder how all those responsible for this whole saga could live their life with such a baggage!! Shame on them!!
N Spiteri
Jan 24th 2010, 23:04
@ Norman Vella
Same thing as I said to Peppi, ask your colleuges at PBS and you'll get the answer re monopoly.
Yes, you are right, a lot of people follow Xarabank, that's why you have a huge responsability to show the full picture of our political situation. Mr. Vella, rest assured that my agenda is only that to eliminate once and for all the imaginary picuture that the PL was the only goverment who made people suffer because of their political views. God knows how many people are suffering today while under PN. Your job is crucial, as I said to Peppi, you are the one who need to do your homework well. I ask you Mr Vella again, when are you going to do a program mentioning ALL people who suffered under PN?? I'm sure you don't need us to find these people!
Just to mention something re the prisoner, I don't think that the goverment should interfere on this. Maybe the President should do so!
If you want to be balanced, mention someone who suffered under the present goverment, and not blaming the goverment using the prisoner issue.
Manuel Mangani
Jan 24th 2010, 22:33
The protraction of this situation means that Mr. Mifsud is being tortured yet again.....
N Spiteri
Jan 24th 2010, 22:31
@ Peppi Azzoppardi
Re Point 1, If you want to find and discuss cases were people suffered under the PN goverment, I am sure you know were and how to find them. When you did the program on Anthony, people on the streets were'nt discussing this case, YOU decided to do a program on Anthony, which I believe you have every right to do so. So, if you honestly want to be balanced, do your homework with honesty and integrity and you'll find people who suffered under PN, you don't need us for such information.
Re Point 2, I don't even want to waste time to comment re this........just ask your collegues at PBS and you'll get the answer.
Re Point3, Again, my point is that Anthony was used in order to put the PL as negative as possible! That's why everyone is asking you to do a program addressing ALL MALTESE CITIZENS who suffered under both goverments, I am mentioning this for the 3rd time today. There are 2 possibilities, or you are not understanding me, or YOU DON'T want to understand.
Peppi, give us all an aswer, do a program for these people, they deserve it!
Norman Vella
Jan 24th 2010, 22:22
@ N Spiteri
In a year TVM has 8,736 hours of broadcasting. Of these Xarabank is on air for 78 hours. What you call monopoly is a mere 0.89% of all airtime!
To date Xarabak is still the only programme in Malta that allows people to speak freely and express their issues and concerns. All those people you mentioned, who suffered any type of injustice and discrimination, are invited to come forward and they will be given a voice in Xarabank. The only agenda we have is the people’s agenda.
Mr Spiteri, you quote a couple of comments posted here, omitting that Xarabank is regularly followed by half the Maltese adult population. I wonder what your agenda is. For the record, just a month ago we started a campaign for pardon to be granted to a prisoner dying of cancer in a cell. It’s a shame for the authorities to leave a man dying in prison and it’s equally a shame that Anthony Mifsud has not yet been compensated.
Yes Mr. Spiteri, today we do have the freedom to say that these two cases, brought up only and exclusively by Xarabank, are a shame on the Government.
peppi azzopardi
Jan 24th 2010, 21:37
Zewg punti fil-qosor 1. F kull Xarabank ahna ghadna Bla Kantunieri. Hemmhekk KULL GIMGHA nitkellmu dwar ingustizzji li jsiru f'Malta uhud minnhom mill-Gvern prezenti. Jekk min qed jikteb ghandu xi informazzjoni ta ingustizzji NACCERTAH li ahna ninvestigawhom u jekk insibu li veru jkunu fuq Xarabank KIF DEJJEM GHAMILNA MA KULL MIN CEMPEL JEW GIE GHADNA. 2. Fuq il-monopolju fuq il-PBS, X MONOPOLJU HU? Ahna bhala WE ghadna 11 il-siegha minn 126 sieghat f gimgha fuq TVM. 8.7% ta l-airtime BISS jokkupaw il-programmi KOLLHA li naghmlu, aktar minn nofs dawk is-seighat MHUX primetime. Issa jekk il-programmi taghna igibu l-ikbar udjenzi sena wara sena, jekk ahna ninvestu sahhitna u flusna biex naghmlu prodott li jaraw in nies, MA GHADNIEX INKUNU IKKUNDANTI GHALIH,. Tajjeb nghid li biex il-WE taghmel dan kollu illum timpjega 45 persuna full time u 60 persuna part time. U nahdmu sieghat twal KULJUM. 3. Fuq ta Anthony Mifsud nistedinkom taraw x ghidt f'Xarabank ta gimghatejn ilu u nistedinkom isegwu dak li ghamillna hekk kif beda Xarabank 13-il sena ilu.
George Busuttil
Jan 24th 2010, 21:14
It is amazing after reading what happend to Mr Mifsud both when falsely accused and in the many years waiting for compensation that there are still those amongst us who are against police interrogations being filmed and suspects having legal aid during interrogations by police.
George Busuttil
General Secretary
Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl Foundation
R Muscat
Jan 24th 2010, 19:43
SHAME, they used this poor chap for political mileage when it suited them but when it comes to the crunch those in power abandoned him a true example of travesty of justice!!
N Spiteri
Jan 24th 2010, 19:32
@ Peppi Azzopardi and Norman Vella
I don't need to add much, just see comments from other people! By the way, we are still waiting from you to announce when you will be doing a program to focus on ALL people who suffered injustice and discrimination under BOTH PN and PL administration, and they have never been compensated. The one you did was focused on people who suffered under PL goverment so next time try to focus more on people who suffered while under PN.
Peppi, we all know your agenda, there is no need to tell us what you've been through in the past, a lot like you suffered under YOUR goverment, you're not special. All you have more then others is that you have monopoly on the national TV and can express yourself much easier then others.
By the way, I wish that Anthony will be compensated, he deserve it!
C. Busuttil
Jan 24th 2010, 19:13
I suggest that Mr. Mifsud should try to sell his story to some overseas newspaper. I am sure that this will start the ball rolling and should also generate some income to tidy things over until he finally receives what is due to him.
R. Gauci
Jan 24th 2010, 19:03
Tal-misthija, kienu jparlaw tant in-Nazzjonalisti u issa spiccaw jitturturaw huma stess lil Anthony Mifsud, tortura mentali ghax ma dan il-proxxmu ghadha ma saritx gustizzja. Din hi tortura ferm aktar gravi ghax fejn qabel kellek 4 individwi li abbuzaw u cappsu lill-Gvern ta` dak iz-zmien illum spiccajna bil-Gvern stess jaghmel dan u qed jiccappas wahdu.
Meta se jinghata l-kumpens dan il-proxxmu? Meta jmut?
Keith Davis
Jan 24th 2010, 18:55
@Victor Caruana ..some maturity please, it is obvious your agenda is different and cynical from all these people requesting justice for Anthony Mifsud, including Peppi Azzopardi who supported Mr.Mifsud several times.
Edgar S. Galea
Jan 24th 2010, 16:38
If Mr Mifsud was a high ranking or a well known person by the elite people of Malta, the justice which he is clamouring for would have taken another turn, for his betterment, in his favour.
A. Mizzi
Jan 24th 2010, 16:32
Maybe Mr. Mifsud should go to one of the gonzipn customercare offices to move his application for compensation forward.
There have been instances where applications being given preferential treatment and skipping the queue going through this office........compensation for property for example for ex-ministers, compensations for 'identified' NP supporters who suffered 'discrimination', golden handshakes for Ministers not retaining their seats and irregularly employed blue eyed boys and girls with Government entities….
victor caruana
Jan 24th 2010, 16:24
@peppi azzopardi u xarabank riders
Are you sure that the same policemen that mistreated you (torture or whatever you say) were not promoted after your friends the pn were elected?
Not all maltese are gullible.
C. Abela
Jan 24th 2010, 15:28
@ Peppi Azzopardi
Allura Peppi, ha tilqgha is-sfida u taghmel programm il-ghala Anthony Mifsud u hafna nies ohra li gew iddiskriminati ghadhom jistennew il-kumpens minn ghand il-partit Nazzjonalista?
Nispera li nihu risposta lura
Christian Sciberras
Jan 24th 2010, 15:25
@Peppi Azzopardi - Uh, seriously we need "Xarabank" to get some justice?
It's a TV program not a court.
Norman Vella obo Xarabank team
Jan 24th 2010, 15:19
Where is Xarabank?
This same issue was brought up in Xarabank 16 days ago.
You can still watch this Xarabank (08-Jan-2010) by clicking on the link below.
Go to 2hrs 17min 45sec to see and listen by yourself what Peppi Azzopardi had to say about this issue.
http://public.di-ve.com/streaming/on_demand_media_streamer.aspx?id=3229&encoding=8&backUrl=streaming%2fon_demand_event_encoding.aspx%3fid%3d3229
And we will not stop here.
As we always did, we will continue following up, persistently insisting for justice to be finally done.
Norman Vella
Manager, Xarabank team.
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 24th 2010, 14:44
Mr. Martin Saliba, I do not seek to relate FINANCIAL compenstion to MY UNDERSTANDING of JUSTICE. Wether its toture by police, political murders, attempts on people's lives or any other sort of INJUSTICE.
I just expect JUSTICE. Justice is indeed Justice, meaning people are put in the dock to face their own misdeeds. Furthermore, Justice uncovers the truth and is not let to simply wash away with time. !!!
Me being a Political Party Apologist ? What do you exactly mean by that ? Please clarify.
Peppi Azzopardi
Jan 24th 2010, 14:43
Hija tal-misthija li Anthony Mifsud idum -il fuq minn 20 sena biex tinqata s sentenza tieghu u issa jibqa jistenna biex jinghata kumpens. GHal min kiteb FEJN HU XARABANK inwiegeb li a. Kien Xarabank lifl-ewwel edizzjonijiet tieghu 13-il sena ilu mexa ma din l-istorja b. fil-programm tal-gimgha l-ohra jien ghidt li hija oxxenita u tal-misthija kif Anthony Mifsud ghadu ma hax il-kumpens. U hekk nibqghu naghmlu sakemm naraw li l-gustizzja issir. Kumment - Illum tajjeb li kulhadd qed jippontifika izda nistaqsi fejn kienu hafna nies li illum qed jippontifikaw meta it toprtura fid-depot tal-pulizija u t trattamentm inuman u degradanti kienet l-ordni tal-gurnata? Jiena kont fit-toroq ghax dak iz-zmien ma kien hawn ebda Xarabank fejn tista tmur u ssemma lehnek. Dak iz-zmien ix-Xandir ta l-Istat kien jirrapoprta li ahna konna qed nuzaw il-vjolenza u waqt li konna nkunu l-isptar niddewwew kienu JIGDBU vilment u jghidu li konna l-ghassa tal-pulizija qed inkunu interogati. Biex dehrna darba live ghal 10 sekondi insemmghu lehinna kellna nidhlu fi programm bil-mohbi u hekk kif intfew il-cameras qlajna xebgha minnghand il-pulizija flimkien mal-kriminali li dak iz zmien ma kienux jintgharfu minn xuxlin.
Mario Martinelli
Jan 24th 2010, 14:29
ANTHONY, jekk thoss li andek ragun (bhal ma naf li ghandek u mandix dubju) hu il-kas tieghek fil- qorti Europeja ghad-drittijiet tal-bniedem u ibqa insisti li tasal sal-quccata. Taqtax qalbek ghax IS-SEWWA GHANDU JIRBAH ZGUR imma trid tippersisti, u min ghamel din l-ingustizzja ihallas ta' ghemilu.
Meta nisma u naqra dwar dawn l'ingustizzji inkompli nikkonferma kemm ghadna pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse.
martin saliba
Jan 24th 2010, 13:44
@ Jesmond Micallef. You were very selective when you agreed to what i said. You only mentioned Mintoff and how much he was given. Rchard Cahia Caruana was awarded Lm30000 ,if i remember corectly ,for an atempt on his life by a criminal not a branch of goverment. Stop being a politcal party apologist for a while and direct your comments in an unbiased manner to reflect the truth. What say you about others who recievd compensation apart from mintoff ?
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 24th 2010, 13:23
Tell me people of the Republic of Malta, HOW MANY PEOPLE OF HIGH RANK HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE DOCK IN MALTA ?? TELL ME PLEASE, ENLIGHTEN ME, PLEASE !!!!
WHAT DID MALTA GO THROUGH IN THOSE DAYS OF TERROR !!!
ALL HISTORY HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED, MAKE IT COLD BLOODED GENOCIDE IN EUROPE OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE, DISABLED PEOPLE, GYPSIES, ETHNIC CLEANSING IN THE BALKANS, YOU NAME IT, YOU HAVE IT !!!
WHAT ABOUT MALTA'S POLITICAL PAST. WE HAVE BECOME PART OF THE EU, ON WHAT WAS THE EU BUILT IN THE FIRST PLACE ?? TO PREVENT WHAT ???
JESMOND MICALLEF
NÜRNBERG, BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND, EUROPA, ERDE.
Dire Straits : Brothers in Arms
Emerson Lake and Palmer : Farewell to Arms
"JUSTICE IS PEACE, JUSTICE IS CLOSURE"
Frans Micallef
Jan 24th 2010, 13:20
This is a stark reminder of the importance of having a lawyer present during interrogation.
C. Attard, please read today's editorial and you will realise that although we will soon have the right to consult a lawyer when under arrest - we still do not have the right for a lawyer to be present during interrogation.
With such shameful incidents as these throughout our recent history, it is worrying that even this basic law (the right to CONSULT a lawyer) took seven years to be put in force.
Stefan Kottmann
Jan 24th 2010, 13:13
Criminal Code on the right to consult a lawyer states as follows. Note that the act itself recognises that this is not yet in force. Note that the right to consult a lawyer is for a period not exceeding one hour, and that the interrogation can, of course, last for much more.
''355AT.* (1) Subject to the provisions of subarticle (3), a person
arrested and held in police custody at a police station or other
authorised place of detention shall, if he so requests, be allowed as
soon as practicable to consult privately with a lawyer or legal
procurator, in person or by telephone, for a period not exceeding
one hour. As early as practical before being questioned the person
in custody shall be informed by the Police of his rights under this
subarticle.''
The Criminal Code also seems to indicate that if you consult with a lawyer, this is noted (as it should be). But it is noted, because according to the act, if you consulted with a lawyer and then failed to disclose certain facts, the non-disclosure of these facts will coorrobate your guilt. Read section 355AU, which is difficult to understand but very, very interesting.
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 24th 2010, 13:03
The very first article I've read here today................!!!!!!
Very much so, Mr. Martin Saliba. If my memory serves me wel, Mr.Dom Perit Duminku Mintoff got 400,000 LM in compensation for loss of property value when a Power Station was built at Delimara point, in front of his Summer residence !!! Yet then again, I have read here that some people want to restore his childhood residence in Cospicua !! What...................????
This man has indeed suffered quite alot. He has my heatfelt support. Nobody under Police Interrogation or Custody should suffer such horrendous treatment. The Police are there to protect people and uphold the Law and not to torture people. Indeed in Malta, there is still alot to be done and yes UNCOVER during the reign of terror, yes PURE UTTER TERROR, of Malta of the eighties.
May Justice indeed prevail for this man.
Sometimes I rather not read the news, IT GETS TO ME, my blood turns into steam !!!!!.......................it really does !!!!!
Joe Morana
Jan 24th 2010, 13:00
It is absurd how the Maltese State is faiIing in respect of Mr Anthony Mifsud.
I reiterate that in our 'Liliputian' country, it seems much easier for convicted criminals, tax evaders, squatters (e.g Armier and other localities ) , illegal buildings etc, to obtain a 'pardon' or amnesty or have their abuses regularised, than for an honest and innocent citizen (Mr Anthony Mifsud)who was wronged by the State, to be given his due as decided by the Law Courts.
This disregard by the State in respect of its wronged citizen Mr Mifsud, is associated more with a banana republic than with a European Union member State. SHAME
Stefan Kottmann
Jan 24th 2010, 12:55
@C Attard - I believe you are wrong. Access to a lawyer is BEFORE the interrogation, not DURING the interrogation. I wish you were right, Mr. Attard, but unfortunately for all of us, apparently you are not.
D.Galea
Jan 24th 2010, 12:35
In my opinion Anthony Mifsud should start voicing his situation abroad all through Europe especially Brussels, Mr. Misfud NOTHING will be done as long as the story stay within these shores, but I bet once many through Europe are ready to publish your story THEN your situation will go through a big change, take your chances now while you still can, such story can be picked up like wildfire! Believe me it's the best way!
r pace bonello
Jan 24th 2010, 12:34
This is not justice and this Government must see that this compensation, ordered by the Courts, is made to this innocent man, a victim of the terrible times we lived through and which the PN fought tooth and nail to remove. How this government can be so generous with the bus drivers who have been poisoning us for so long and not fulfil its obligations to this man beggars belief!
martin saliba
Jan 24th 2010, 11:51
Some one please correct me if i'm mistaken. Dom Mintoff , Richard Cachia Caruana and Ninu Zammit amongst other high profile people were awarded monatary compensation for various reasons. Have these people recieved their money ? I'm sure that the Times can enlighten us and i would expect that someone would report on this and make comparisons.
Mario Farrugia
Jan 24th 2010, 11:22
Shame on MALTA.
C. attard
Jan 24th 2010, 11:17
@ Stefan Kottmann
No, Thanks to the LP opposition and motion in the parlament now you can have a lawyer during interrogation!
Stefan Kottmann
Jan 24th 2010, 10:37
I am not a lawyer, but isn't being threatened at gunpoint what is called a 'mock execution'- which is a serious human rights violation? Apart from the beatings etc. I cannot believe this person was not given what is due to him. Worse of all, what message is this sending us? That if this happened again, nothing would happen? Oh wait, how do we know what goes on during interrogations? Nothing is taped, and no lawyers are there either. So there goes our peace of mind - out of the window.
Malcolm Farrugia
Jan 24th 2010, 10:07
I feel very sorry for Mr.Mifsud, after all the violence that he had to endure now the justice system is failing him again. When I saw the interview, I noticed that while he was recalling his horrific experience, Mr.Mifsud was laughing and joking, it clearly shows to what an extent the violence he had experienced left him permanently traumatised. Because no sane person would laugh or smile on such occasions, but unfortunately the mental scars of violence and persecution will last with him forever.
P.s, I guess that soon we will have another xarabank discussing this issue.
N Spiteri
Jan 24th 2010, 10:06
Where is Xarabank please??
Since you produced a programm dedicated to Anthony Mifsud, going step by step and in detail on what Anthony went through in the past, can you do a programm now, to urge the goverment to compensate those who suffered injustice in the past, including Anthony?
To be honest with you I don't believe that Xarabank will have an impact on this, but since Xarabank used this story to produce a programm, which I believe that in that program, there was a strong element of negativity towards the PL, now if we want to be BALANCED, we have to dedicate not just a small spot saying that Anthony is not compensated yet, but a whole programm addressing pending court cases of people suffered injustice and discrimination. Also, please do your homework well and select also stories of citizens who also suffered injustice and discrimination while under the PN goverment.
C. Curmi
Jan 24th 2010, 09:48
is election time nearing by any chance?? because everytime an election is around the times starts publishing these old dated stories that we are all fed up of hearing about for some reason..... minjaf ghaliex?
J Oatmon
Jan 24th 2010, 09:46
This is further proof of the disfunctional Mickey Mouse legal 'nonsystem' - what a farce and the 'legal experts/judges etc' expect the public to respect them!
The obvious question is what plans do the government have to overhaul this joke 'system', triple the number of courts and judges, and get a fully independent (non Maltese) review of the whole corrupt 'nonsystem' - and sort out this disgraceful situation properly.
I personaly expect no real action on this situation, just another halfway/temporary fix on the cheap, so as not to upset the entrenched daft system, and the lawyers.