Writer to face charges for Ir-Realta story
Writer Alex Vella Gera is to be taken to court for his story containing explicit language published on student publication Ir-Realta'.
Student editor Mark Camilleri, 22, is already undergoing criminal proceedings for publishing Mr Vella Gera's story Li Tkisser Sewwi in the October issue of the University campus newspaper. The case has generated much controversy.
Yesterday at around 11.30 a.m., Mr Vella Gera, who resides in Luxembourg where he works as a translator, said he was outside court waiting to testify in another case when he was approached by a police inspector.
"When Inspector Jesmond Micallef, who was prosecuting, heard my name, the case was deferred and I was asked to report to the Sliema police station," Mr Vella Gera told The Times. The interrogation took place at around 2.30 p.m.
The author is now facing the same charges as Mr Camilleri and the court case is expected to be heard on April 20.
Mr Camilleri is being charged with breaching Article 208 of the Criminal Code, which deals with the distribution of pornographic or obscene material among others, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of up to €465.87.
He is also being charged with Articles 3 and 7 of the Press Act, which in this case deal with printed matter directly or indirectly "injuring public morals or decency". Under these charges, guilty parties could face up to three months in prison or a fine.
The contentious story, written in 1997, dealt with the male narrator's sexual exploits, written in crude language, and included detailed references to sex with the various women he had. The author said the story had already been published on a blog around five years ago.
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Anthony Grech
Mar 19th 2010, 13:02
Mr Camilleri, why not just sit back and relax as the chances that this case is ever resolved is very small. I would think that you have at least another 8 years of court ahead of you. Same for you Mr. Gera, just head back to Luxembourg and forget about Malta. We are the laughing stock of Europe. Are we living in North Africa or Europe? I can not imagae whay the courts are so backed up.
J Mallia
Mar 19th 2010, 12:16
Din il-kwistjoni hija kollha xiehda tal-ipokresija li ssaltan f'pajjiżna.
L-Istat għandu jagħmel ħiltu biex ibiddel jew ineħħi din il-liġi antikwata li kull ma qed tagħmel hu li tħammarlu wiċċu u wiċċna !
VICTOR VELLA
Mar 19th 2010, 12:10
It seems that we are living in a police state. In this country many obscene things are happening. At least when one writes what he/she feels is not making an harm to any body. Those who feel to turn a blind eye can do so and turn the page. It also seems that the law is enforced on the defenceless and blind for those who can politically do what they want and write what the rubish that comes to their minds without considering the damages they are causing to their fellow citizens. The Italian court of justice states that "La lege e` equale per tutti" while in this "din l-art helwa" the law is equal for the defenceless and more equal for those who have the political protection to do what they want to do. History repeats itself.
Christian Sciberras
Mar 22nd 2010, 08:43
I sure hope that what Mr Gera wrote is NOT what he feels.
Tell me Victor, have you actually read it?
pat camilleri
Mar 18th 2010, 20:33
Quite right Mr Schembri.the law states quite clearly that 'Whosoever puts into circulation obscene print or any other pornographic material commits a criminal offence''.The law of this land has been broken punishment must ensue. We are paying for your university education, and on top of that you are actually given a monthly wage. I object to this as my hard earned cash has been wasted and on top of it I am offended by the constant, ridicule of the Catholic Church by ignorant , uneducated,good for nothings. If you don't like the laws of this land, pack up and go. Go away.
Chris Fenech
Mar 19th 2010, 03:06
Bħalissa, dak li hu oxxen u pornografiku jiġi deċiz minn kumitat parlamentari. L-ewwel u l-aħħar darba li tlaqa dal-kumitat kien fl- 1975. Id-definizjoni li ingħatat dak iz-zmien tgħid li
Xogħol huwa oxxen jew pornografiku jekk il-karatteristika dominanti tiegħu hija l-esplojtazzjoni ta’, jew jenfasizza bla bżonn, is-sess, il-kriminalità, il-biża’, il-krudeltà jew il-vjolenza.
Għalhekk il-Front Kontra iċ-Ċensura jipproponi li tinbidel id-definizjoni ta’ pornografija biex tkun aktar speċifika, bħal
“Kwalunkwe prodott li juri grafikament atti ta’sess bl-intenzjoni li jikkawza eċitament sesswali.”
Barra minn hekk, il-Front jipproponi id-dekriminalizzazjoni tal-pornografija, ħlief jekk din tinvolvi traffikar ta’ bnedmin, abbuz ta’ minuri, esplojtazzjoni tan-nisa (coercion), jew atti kriminali oħra skond il-liġi. Dan għandu isir għax bħalissa il-liġi tispeċifika li hemm piena ta’ priġunerija għal zmien ta’ mhux aktar minn sitt xhur jew multa ta’mhux aktar minn €465.87, jew priġunerija u multa flimkien. Din il-piena tingħata għal
Tqassim, akkwist, ċirkolazzjoni, manifattura, stampa, importazzjoni u esportazjoni ta’ affarijiet stampati, tpinġija, ritratti, film, ktieb, kartolina, kitba pornografika jew oxxena etc. Dan ifisser li taħt dawn il-kriterji letteratura importanti hija illegali. Ifisser ukoll li l-artist Malti huwa mxekkel dwar dak li jista jinkludi fil-fizzjoni tiegħu.
david vella
Mar 18th 2010, 18:19
Writers writing rubbish are to keep their work in their homes' landfill room and not distribute it around!!!!!
Robert Agius
Mar 18th 2010, 20:45
true! especially when they come unwillingly in someones letterbox for example. I think the same principle about writing rubbish should apply to comments here too. In case you don't get it, in the latter part I'm talking about you.
Sorry, nothing personal. I'm just in a mischievous mood of picking on people today :P
ray sacco
Mar 18th 2010, 14:06
so if a well known felon commits fraud of thousands of euros, he goes free! if a notary frauds his clients, he gets five suspended sentences! and for writing a story, you can get six months in prison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wisdom is supposed to guide our parliament, police force and justice. they should try to get some common sense first!
E.Schembri
Mar 18th 2010, 14:01
To All those 'modern' and anti-church hero's, THIS HAS NOTHING TO TO WITH THE CHURCH OR INQUISITION!!
The authorities are correct in protecting public morals! What does this bunch of so called modern people want next? ..couples legally having sex on the Triton fountain, junkies sniffing away on the Sliema promenade and market stalls with a full variety of different sized dildo's on display?
Their next request would be for 16year olds to legally have an abortion without the consent of their parents as a quick fix to their abuse of freedom ...just as happened in Spain. Grow up! This is not freedom of speech!!!
Nobody is denying you bunch the right to enjoy pornographic material and your kinky lifestyles, but in public you MUST obey the rules. If you don't like rules and laws, and want to do everything you please with the excuse of freedom of speech, go live in the jungle where maybe you will realise that laws do not limit your freedom and send you to the dark ages, but they actually provide peace and safety, and promote a MODERN civilised society!
Police, keep up the good work and ignore these immature revolutionaries!
Robert Agius
Mar 18th 2010, 16:01
The church has a whole lot to do with European morality in general, let alone Malta or more than you seem to think. Let us put this aside however for the moment. Let us say you a right and we should have 'our' morals protected....
then I find the Church to be guilty of such things. Take the symbol it uses - I person in agony, covered in blood and nailed onto the cross. Pretty graphic isn't it? And for all of us to see all over the island, no matter how old you are. I mean look at the psychological traumas it might cause a child to see such gore? or is it only sex that seems to be an issue (and the Church's preoccupation with chastity) so its OK just to cover his private parts? I would like to hear your opinion...
Perhaps it is you that needs to grow up and face an unfortunate reality sir. Words never harmed anyone, actions did.
Ps. Its also quite amusing how you get annoyed by whom you label 'modern people' yet fail to put a 'label' for people in which category you belong to.
Graham Crocker
Mar 18th 2010, 10:54
"injuring public morals or decency"?
Yeah, whatever many people in high positions are guilty of far worse, yet they get away with it regardless of whatever LAWS are in place.
The law either applies to everyone or nobody.
Martin Lawrence
Mar 18th 2010, 08:20
Dalwaqt nibdlu isimna ghal Communist state of Malta!!!!
Halluna minnkom! Hawn tant tgerfix, u serq u korruzzjoni, qed tintilfu fuq bicca storja. Nahseb kullhadd sebghu dritt!!!! Possibli qatt ma rajtu xejn?
Difficli nemminkom. Ipokriti kollha!!!
Pavlaki Pano Aroditis
Mar 18th 2010, 01:26
Here is a suggestion to resolve the issue and keep both the ones who find the story "offensive" and "prosecutable", and those middle class liberals squealing about "threats to freedom of expression", happy:
Just send the author and the publisher for a naked walk down your main street in the Capital, Valetta. The Moralists would have their "punishment"; the pro-forma liberals would have their freedom of expression. And the ordinary Joe would have a laugh at this whole pathetic debate.
Matthew Farrugia
Mar 18th 2010, 11:29
1. The liberals are for censorship
2. This "pathetic" debate involves one of your fundamental human rights
3. Ordinary Joe can laugh on, but he won't be laughing long after his rights are enroached upon bit by bit "for the common good"
4. Your suggestion is medieval
Kenneth Cassar
Mar 18th 2010, 12:31
Here's another solution. Send those who crave a return to the days of the inquisition, to Comino, where they may set up their own theocratic state (they might even consider inviting the Knights of Malta to rule over Comino), and leave the rest of us alone.
This could even help tourism. A trip to Comino would be an excellent educational experience to learn about the mentality of "dark ages" people. An excellent interactive history lesson.
edwin formosa
Mar 17th 2010, 22:19
Malta ghad ghandna ligi li tirrezisti l-hmieg li pajjizi progressivi, moderni jkollhom jghumu fih. Tridu tikkupjawhom ? U jekk dawn il-kummentaturi huma genituri, dawn x'qed irabbu tfal jew bhejjem? Jew il-fula bint il-mizwed u l-qahba bint il-qahba. Jew ghax ghandkom familja falluta tghiru ghal haddiehor li bil-ghajnuna t'Alla rnexxielu jtella 'l uliedu suriet in-nies. Tahsbu li tfal Maltin kollha bla fibra morali bhal uliedkom? Jew il-genituri kollha bla sinsla bhalkom ? Tuzzana malizjuzi ghamlu plejtu ghax ghoxxenita iriduha igglorifikata flok ikkundannata. Iriduna nikkupjaw pajjizi fejn distretti shah huma perikoluzi, delitti kulljum u kulltant anki fl-iskejjel, nies jisparixxu, gangs inkontrollabbli, stupru u mard VD universali...Ahbarijiet dawn. Jafhom kulhadd. Liberta...taghamel li trid....Hekk iriduha 'l Malta?
Chris Fenech
Mar 18th 2010, 09:56
Edwin Formosa,
1. Il-Front Kontra c-Censura sempliciment ma jridx li l-Istat jiddetta lill- individwu matur x'ghandu jew x' m'ghandux jara jew jaqra. Il-Front xorta jiproponi limiti: ezempju pornografija tat-tfal ghandha tigi iccensurata, u anke instigazzjoni ghal vjolenza razzjali.
2. Min irid jara pornografija ma jfittixx letteratura, imma jidhol fuq l-internet generalment. L-internet mhux ic-censurat.
3. Fl-arti hija normali li ssib oxxenitajiet. M'ghandux ifisser li naqbdu u niccensuraw l-arti skond x'ifetlilna li huwa oxxen. Il-moralita' tista tkun kemmxejn suggettiva. Dak li huwa oxxen ghalik, jista ma jkunx oxxen ghalija, u vice versa.
4. Hadd mhu qed jghid li kulhadd ghandu jibda jaghmel li jrid. Il-Front Kontra c-censura irid li ligijiet li m'ghadhomx japplikaw ghaz-zmien tal-llum jimbidlu. Ma jridx li jitnehhew il-ligijiet kollha.
5. Mard venerali, m'ghandux bzonn letteratura biex jinxtered. L-ahjar soluzzjoni hija li teduka lin-nies, mhux li tattilhom ghajnejhom. Ghax dawk t'ghajnejhom mottija m'humiex edukati, huma biss maqtugha mir-realta'.
Robert Agius
Mar 18th 2010, 10:42
I feel sorry that people like you still exist. I mean, you depend on people controlling you to cause you do not have the capability to take a just decision for yourself.
I feel sad that people like you are still around, thinking that just because they are not capable of rational actions, or of shouldering responsibility of such actions, assume that the rest of the people are not able to do so.
However, I feel really annoyed that people like you start talking about such things as VD, crime etc. in big cities and making the downright assumptions that it all boils down to such things a writing an article for a university magazine.
Richard Curmi
Mar 17th 2010, 21:54
I agree with Mr. Franco Farrugia:
"Where is common sense?
We are exaggerating, now."
The court should throw out this case immediately. Don't spend taxpayers' money on this case.
In my opinion the article is no way near literary levels but "criminal proceedings" OMG - what a serial killer!!!!!!
Michael Catania
Mar 17th 2010, 21:30
It seems that some of the blggers are blaming the police for taking this person to court. I beg to differ. They have no choice but to follow orders.The culprits to this case are the wowsers who cannot keep there nose out of anything and expect the rest of us to follow. Its time these wowsers were shown that their frontal showing of upholders of public morality does not hold much water. I often wondered what goes on behind their closed doors. Maybe they are not as whiter than white.
Joseph Schembri
Mar 17th 2010, 20:54
many of the people commenting here have obviously not read the fictional story are are even familiar with the type of literature that is available in Malta. The story and this literature is in the malta-exposed blog
T.Guntrip
Mar 17th 2010, 20:07
Sounds like we're following in North Korea's footsteps. Won't be long before the thought police start banging at our doors.
M Grima
Mar 17th 2010, 17:07
Surely there is more urgent and disgracefull work for the police to do than arrest a writer who dared to describe life as it is lived by a not too few people.
Instead of suppressing free speech the Police and the Public Prosecutor should go chase the real criminals.Life is not a fairy story and I for one am fed up to the teeth by the blatant suppression of free speech under the guise of public morals. Tell it like it is Alex and go to the European Court of human rights if you have too. You have nothing to lose living in this Island of hypocrats.
If you or Mr Camilleri wish to open a fund to help you with your defence ,I for one will gladly donate to it.
A. E. Abela
Mar 17th 2010, 16:47
The Gozo carnival arrests.
The mannequin raid. (dik eccelenti kienet)
The Vella Gera panto.
What’s next?
Who is actually running the country?
On the other hand these same champions of morality protect and justify certain convicted paedophiles.
Mysterious times!! Baffled.MT
K. Sciberras
Mar 17th 2010, 16:34
When I was 11 I used to watch Lamu on Telecolor and Yattaman on ItaliaUno. They used to show naked women. Can the police prosecute Paolo Bonolis please? After 25 years im starting to have flashbacks!!
Come on, we live in 2010 not the darkages. I believe the police have something better to do then waste taxpayer money on trivial issues. If you do not like a channel/show you can change the channel. If you don't like the book or magazine, close it and throw it away.
I am sure that teenage pregnancies are not occuring because of something which is written in a student magazine but because teenagers are kept in the dark in regards to unprotected sex. In regards to laws, the only laws that are perfect are those laid down by God. Laws made by man have over time been changed and amended according to society's needs.
M Cassar
Mar 17th 2010, 14:44
A.Grech... they're featuring Marina Abramovic on Euronews right now on le mag.
Louis Gialanze
Mar 17th 2010, 14:05
Mario Tabone Vassallo said it all - spot on!
Robert Agius
Mar 17th 2010, 12:57
What a joke! Shame shame shame! but then I didn't expect anything else from this country. WAKE UP MALTA!!! The police force should be the ones charged with 'injuring public morals or decency'. What a waste of time, money and effort.
M Cassar
Mar 17th 2010, 12:52
Pathetic ..what's next burning books and movies and blocking the internet.
s fenech
Mar 17th 2010, 12:33
what a pity that a minor piece of titillating literature has been ,due to the heavy handedness of the powers that be, been elavated to a cause celebre!
J Spiteri
Mar 17th 2010, 12:27
As far as I am aware, Ir-Realta` is offered to students who have also a right to vote and thus intelligent enought to elect whom they wish to govern our country! So being intelligent enough to make such good and important choices, these same students are intelligent enough to decide whether a story would injure their "morals or decency" and therefore could stop reading at any stage they wish ... the same reasoning applying to internet and satellite material, of course!!
I feel more offended by our authority who are deciding on behalf of me what material will injure my morals and what not!!!!!!
And ... if this is regarded as pornographic or obscene ... I wonder what would the court answer for allowing the Playboy magazine way back in January 2001 to be available just as Ir-Realta`!!!!!
Eric Gahn
Mar 17th 2010, 12:23
@C Zammit: 'Liberta' includes the freedom of speech and expression. I state again what I have stated before: though not neccesarily agreeing with him, what Vella Gera wrote is based on fact. There are men (and women) whose only purpose when they go out is to get a shag. Not have sex. Not make love. Shag. It might further suprise you that this behavior is also found in Iran......and anywhere humans are.
L. Dimech
Mar 17th 2010, 12:22
Hey Cool Guys - what he wrote is not degrading to women - IT'S DEGRADING TO MEN - because according to some of you that's how a man's mind thinks !!!!
What idiots to yourselves with him!!! In all honesty, IF YOU REALLY READ THAT "PIECE OF ART" - HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD GIVE IT TO YOUR PARENTS OR CHILDREN TO READ. If you haven't read it, do so and know who you're backing.
This has got nothing to do with anything else. My 12 year old nephew got hold of it .... it's been doing the rounds .. Whether it's TV or Internet or any other Magazine or whatever, you need to go search for dirt , but this was a gratuitous piece of sick 'literature' which nobody was expecting to find included in a student's publication.
Nobody is being prudish jew dejjaq - everybody enjoys a good story even if over the top but it takes an idiot to accept that kind of language to be shoved on him and thank the author to boot.
The writer has some real hangups , suggest he leaves Luxembourg and visits Amsterdam to work it out of his system.
Robert Agius
Mar 17th 2010, 18:34
that is how a few men think unfortunately... and those are the serious issues, not writing about it.
You should put the blame on how your 12 old nephew got hold of it and not take it on the writer. Taking them to court, and making the issue do drastic has got something to do with how it spread out don't you think.
Have you read writings of De Sade, or Bataille for example? I don't think they would be good for you and recommend you stay away from such books. They do exist however, and some go as far as call them....my oh my...ART. Do you suggest putting some people in charge of what one should be considered 'artistic' or good for people to read or not? I would leave that up to the discretion Adults. The author does not shove such language on you. You decided to read it so I suggest you do something about your masochistic tendencies.
Just for the record, i do not consider it a piece of art but leave it up to everyone else to decide.
Franco Farrugia
Mar 17th 2010, 12:22
Where is common sense?
We are exaggerating, now.
Joe Azzopardi
Mar 17th 2010, 12:15
Adrian Galea is so right “ this is a piece of literature probably nobody would have known about outside University and has been bloated outside all proportion.” I, and most of the people I know read it precicly because of the controversy. I for 1 found it mediocre. But the fact remains that as I have the right to reject it the author and editor have the right to publish it. Had they he left to their devices they would have passed for two who promote mediocre literature. Now the system is turning them into martyrs.
And by the way none round a table has a right to tell me what I should read, or worst think.
K. Pullicino
Mar 17th 2010, 12:15
Since we're in the 21st Century, as many here have rightly pointed out, then I'd have expected that everyone knew what democracy was all about. Democracy is based on the concept of order and order is only brought about if citizens are able to respect each other. You can say what you want, as long as you stay within the limits. I'm pretty sure that a lot of criticism goes on against the political parties on this website and no one is censored.
The whole point of this hassle is that, someone broke the law (knowingly)... and they're trying to get away with it by calling everyone backward and our laws archaic.
It would set a dangerous precedent to give these so-called "artists" limitless freedom just so that they can have their 15 minutes of fame. You either have something to say, and you say it well or you're trying to cause chaos.
Also, Europe should keep their noses out of this because they aren't any better. Look at Germany... they ban video games from displaying any blood: now, that's unreasonable censorship. Nothing's wrong with the Maltese doing things with moderation.
Robert Agius
Mar 17th 2010, 18:55
Democracy based on responsibilities more than anything. Democracy is always in progress and can never be attained. We can only strive to improve upon it. This includes changing outdated laws. Dictatorship is about order. Democracy is about tolerance.
Yes, Germany does have some issues in this regards but why don't we just start comparing ourselves to the Taliban in that case. I mean if things are bad we just need to point at a country that worse off. Just because a country such as Germany decides to take some sort of action does not mean that its also being more democratic does it. Of course, I wish we were more similar when it comes to other matters though.
The truth is that in matters like this things get out of hand and in other more serious matters things are mostly ignored. If there is anything that is degrading is the lack of justice the Maltese people truly have and the lack of diligence on who to take action on by the police farce, erm... sorry, force.
Oh, and start reading about democracy, you will find more serious issues to address i'm sure.
Kenneth Cassar
Mar 17th 2010, 12:05
@ Matthew Montebello:
"What if you were a 15-year old reading it at JC?".
In that case, the prosecutor would have to prove that the newspaper was actually sold to the 15-year-old. Its the same thing as selling cigarettes to minors. The shops cannot sell cigarettes to minors, but they cannot be held accountable if an adult buys cigarettes from them and then gives them to a minor.
Your argument does not hold.
Jessica DeBattista
Mar 17th 2010, 11:56
Forget a prison sentence! A Fine maybe!
Alex Vella Gera deserves a medal for The Fastest Road to Fame. He hit on a sure win! Not the artistic value which seems to count for nothing nowadays (Pity), nor the questionable content of the piece, but the controversial value. That is what sells!
Charles Sammut
Mar 17th 2010, 11:53
How is anyone surprised? Norman Lowell was found guilty and sentenced by a magistrate (who is now the subject of much vilification), to a suspended prison term for saying that EFA was a good gardener but a lousy president. I dare not imagine how EFA would have felt had he been president of the USA and the subject of so many jibes, carictures and jokes!.
This country never ceases to amaze me. A columnist spewing what is obviously pure jealousy, is afforded police protection to continue maligning people while others are hauled over the coals for trivial things. Hawwadni ha nifhmek.
laurence schembri
Mar 17th 2010, 11:23
Alex Vella gera should be burned a the stake. Venue St. Georges Square. What a joke!
t farrugia
Mar 17th 2010, 11:20
Anna Farrugia - so obviously they pray on the weak. try phoning police to make a report on anything and they start putting you through to different police stations "as it is not their juristiction"!!! that is their attitude!!!! if you don't like that material dont read it!!!
Matthew Montebello - at JC 16 yr olds and over go there, not 15 year olds!!. And this was a university newspaper meant for people who go there!! i am sure university students are mature enough to decide what to read and what not to read!!!
bhas soltu kulhadd jihu skandlu hu!!!!
A.Grech
Mar 17th 2010, 11:12
I happened to come upon this article on the experiments of an artist and her audience, "a close game between mind and matter".
A warning for those of you who will view the link: if you don't like what you read in the first page don't continue reading, if you do, don't complain later.
Abramovic and the art of resilience:
(copy paste the link below into your browser)
http://womanity.msn.com/?section=walldetails&mediaid=1201747&cpdocid=23508413&source=msnhp&gt1=25069
Shift through the article using the numbers provided.
why did i post this? Although i may find the acts of this person strange or even crazy i would never want to interfere or impose on her life since i would be stopping her from discovering that which she is looking for, what ever it is, she has a right to try, and in the same way i wouldn't want anyone interfering in my life and my learning experiences, would you?
Food for thought.
good day
d.
adrian galea
Mar 17th 2010, 11:08
for goodness sake.
this is a piece of literature probably nobody would have known about outside University and has been bloated outside all proportion.
we need to learn that there will always going to be things we like or dislike, offend us or otherwise. we just need to grow up.
if one is intolerant of something like this, wht will happen when some authoritarian government decides to take it further and stop freedom of speech?
How do we think we are going to stop this, when all it takes is to switch satellite tv adn the internet and you will find all you want or more?
this law is an anonchronism.
by the way, i do not equate freedom of speech with freedom to deliberately offend just for the sake of it, but i do not believe this is the case at all
cmcelhatton
Mar 17th 2010, 11:49
This is an absurdity, come on people there are by far more despicable crimes we should be tending to than prosecuting someone for writing allegedly pornographic material. If this goes through, what next, a crusade against literature (imported or otherwise)containing dubious content? Will we have a new Black List for such books?! Let's get back to more important matters for crying out loud!
Lori Marchi
Mar 17th 2010, 11:03
Pathetic and ridiculous! How about banning Internet, television, cinema plays,books, papers, television, cinema, next? Can't the relevant authorities be a little more creative perhaps and utilise taxpayers' money for issues that are more relevant and pressing to today's needs? Drug Abuse perhaps? Social Poverty? Emotional Abuse? Child Abuse? Women's Abuse? The Maltese want to hear about how the police force is tackling these issues . I cannot think that resources are being blatantly wasted on someone who wrote a sick story instead of taking care of our REAL problems. What is Malta trying to prove I wonder? Clutching to the last straws of its Catholic Paternalistic Convictions perhaps...but is this what the people of malta really want???
Edward Fenech
Mar 17th 2010, 10:53
Is this some sort of early April fool's joke?
Jonathan Micallef
Mar 17th 2010, 10:42
Doesn't the police have some real criminals to prosecute?
Even if the defendants are found guilty under Maltese Law an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights will overthrow such a verdict… You know those little unimportant rights, "Freedom of Speech" and "Freedom of Expression"
This was published in a university newspaper and last time I checked University Students are all over the age of 18, isn't it the purpose of such publications to spark an intellectual debate?
What a waist of Tax Payers Money
Anna Farrugia
Mar 17th 2010, 10:42
Mr/Ms T Farrugia, it is very easy to criticise from the comfort of your armchair! However I ask you to go and to Mr Plod's (policeman) job if you are that capable. Maybe you will find out what they have to go through. Remember that your hands will be tied because after catching the 'naughty men' they will be taken up to court to be given a slap on the wrist - i'd really like to be a fly on the wall and observe you and your feelings!
Regarding the writer & editor - well a line has to be drawn somewhere. I wonder if that is they way they treat the women eg mother, sister, wife etc in their life! I just wonder if they'd appreciate those things being done to their ladies, women!
C.Zammit
Mar 17th 2010, 10:33
@Eric Gahn- "Liberta" Does not mean that a country will be in chaos.Everyone is free in Malta!What he wrote was offensive and also degrading women.( I read the story and it's sick)
@G Schembri he could have been 17,16or 13. What's the problem that he is 20yrs old he is an adult and he has broken the law now he has to pay for it.Do not be foolish in you diary you do whatever you like no one cares about anyone's diary.
J Galea
Mar 17th 2010, 10:31
If any individual feels they have been explicitly defamed by a story then it is for them to bring action. This appears not to have happened. Instead, the heavy hand of the state is being brought to bear once again in a totally inappropriate fashion. This whole case is ridiculous. Where is the voice of student solidarity on this?
K. Pullicino
Mar 17th 2010, 12:17
Apparently, the students themselves were the ones that reported the article so I would hold back "the heavy hand of the state is being brought to bear once again" and cut out the drama.
You either follow the law or face the consequences.
Victore Laiviera
Mar 17th 2010, 10:19
Iran In The Med comes closer every day.
What next - Morality Police Squads?
guido farrugia
Mar 17th 2010, 10:07
I'd rather be in Disneyland, i would'nt mind at all, compared to this kind of dictatorship. It's realy worrying indeed. Treated like common criminals simply disgusts me.
Stefan Vella
Mar 17th 2010, 10:06
Malta's Taliban on the rampage again.
I want to report a nude mannequin in a Sliema shop window. Kindly arrest and prosecute the shop owner and Sliema council for allowing porn to be displayed in our streets! (sic)
Michael Catania
Mar 17th 2010, 10:02
Are we being taken back to the days of the Inquisition. Seems a certainty by this action. I do not necessarily agree to whats written in the article but where is freedom of speech. This sort of action was carried out by fascist dictators of not long past. Soon we will see pile of books being burnt at the " LOVELY " St. Georges square. Maybe it was for such an occasion that it was al done up.
Ramon Casha
Mar 17th 2010, 09:44
Parliament please take note. This law must be repealed immediately. It is dictatorial, anti-democratic and anachronistic. It was well past its expiry date two decades ago. Stop this travesty now.
o galea
Mar 17th 2010, 09:43
"interrogation"... oh please ! what is this... ? A 21st Century INQUISITION ?
There are dozens of novels i can name in an instant that contain explicit scenes of a sexual nature.
I hope that the person who set this ball rolling is very proud of himself.
Once somebody makes an official report to the police, they have no say in the matter and have to follow thru.
TBriffa
Mar 17th 2010, 09:32
Reminds one of Salman Rushdie's saga with The Satanic Verses somehow....what ARE we doing in this country?
Dave Alan Caruana
Mar 17th 2010, 09:32
Castrate the guy to make sure he doesn't do it again! No tolerance for such heinous criminals!
Dominic Fenech
Mar 17th 2010, 09:25
And meanwhile the parliamentary committee that was supposed to review the obscenity law and update its vital definition of what should or should not be illegal has not even been composed, let alone started to meet. Two months after inter-party agreement was reached to set up the committee, the Government side has yet to nominate its members, even though the Opposition has long nominated its own. Two months ago level-headed people were hoping that the committee would work fast, and that the Courts would delay proceedings so that any eventual verdict would be informed by a contemporary definition, not one that is still stuck in 1975. That would at least have spared us the national embarrassment of this spectacle.
G.Pisani
Mar 17th 2010, 09:23
Lanqas f zmien gran mastru Emmanuel de Villena ma kien jigri hekk. Only in Malta
Charles Flores
Mar 17th 2010, 09:12
Shame shame shame. There is no other word. What next, doing a "Dubai" and arresting young people who kiss in public? SmartCity my foot.
M Pace
Mar 17th 2010, 09:09
Shame.
George Manduca
Mar 17th 2010, 09:08
Jekk dawn iz-zewg guvintur jehlu il-habs, se ndahhqu l-Europa kollha bina!
Mhux ahajr niefqu insahhnu is-siggu tal-Parliment?
Dik il-LIGI meta ser tinbidel??!??
Joseph Aquilina
Mar 17th 2010, 12:23
There is no need to over dramatise the situation. Most probably they will only get a fine.
Chris Fenech
Mar 17th 2010, 20:31
Joseph, why do we even have to tolerate that an artist and a critical editor are prosecuted by the Law for writing and publishing a short story ?
K Cassar
Mar 17th 2010, 09:06
Shame on the person who ordered Inspector Jesmond Micallef to act upon this OLD and OUTDATED written law!
We cannot let this happen in today's world.. For God's sake we are living in the year 2010 not in the medieval years or worse still the 1960s !!!
Joseph Aquilina
Mar 17th 2010, 12:25
Regardless of which year we live in, laws are there to be respected. Laws exist to ensure the well being of a whole society. This law does not stop anyone from freely express him or herself, but in the way this can do so. There where plenty of more respectable words the author could have used to pass the same message. He wanted to provoke however.
K Cassar
Mar 17th 2010, 15:19
@Mr Aqulina- I agree with you that the law is there to be respected... But Mr Aquilina the consequences of this law could be punishable with a prison sentence... In my opinion this should not be tolerated in today's day and age... I repeat we are not living in the medieval years OR the 1960's/70's/80's OR in a country under the tyranny of a communist ruler... Please note that many people who are arguing agains this INJUSTICE do not like or agree with what was written in the story.... its all about Free Speech For the Dumb .... either take it or leave it...
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Mar 17th 2010, 09:04
Interessanti dal-plejtu kollu fuq dan biex innessu x'qed isir/sar Id-Dwejra, L-Ghadira, Tigne, Hal Safi, Delimara, il-mijiet ta' eluf ta' liri kera mahfura lil individwi u nista' nibqa' sejjer. Dawn mhux kitba fuq sess jew stupru, dawn li semmejt jinghaddu minn bosta bhala stupru tassew. Sidna Gesu Kristu gharafhom lill-Farizej u sejhilhom OQBRA MBAJDA bl-intiena go fihom
Karm Grima
Mar 17th 2010, 08:45
Inhossni qisni qed nghix go Disneyland. Pajjiz tal-Mikey Mouse, Gvern tal-Mickey Mouse, Pulizija tal-Mickey Mouse. Meta se nikbru ftit?
Bernard Mamo
Mar 17th 2010, 08:23
Bla sens. Qisu kien hemm bzonn lilu ghal dawn l-affarijiet! Niftakar anke minn meta kont zghir kemm kien aw sa anke air freshners tal-karozzi bin-nisa gharwenin u lighters kollom stampi u elf haga ohra bil-'pornografija'! U halluna.
Joseph Aquilina
Mar 17th 2010, 09:56
Yes I remember an incident with "air freshners tal-karozzi bin-nisa gharwenin". It was next to a primary school while children where coming out of school. However I guess you are right ... why should we adults care how such content may effect our children!
t farrugia
Mar 17th 2010, 08:18
wow i feel so safe now that this "criminal" is being prosecuted!!!!! pls notice the sarcasm!!! why don't the police try to catch actual criminals??!!!!
p.s. i came across the story and started reading it. i found it stupid and pointless so guess what i did. i stopped reading it!!!!!! i did not report the writer!!!!!
Joseph Aquilina
Mar 17th 2010, 09:40
Neither would have I reported it. However we all must understand that we live in a society and that the laws of the society should be respected - otherwise anarchy would follow. There are other means how such laws can be challenged and even when challenged it does not mean that such laws should be changed. The current laws are not there to limit freedom of expression but rather to build guidelines on how people should express themselves without hurting the morales of others. Let us remember that there are ways and ways how someone can express him or herself without distorting any significance to the message given.
Matthew Montebello
Mar 17th 2010, 10:15
What if you were a 15-year old reading it at JC?
Joseph Schembri
Mar 17th 2010, 13:02
So what if you were a 15 year old reading it at JC? Do you live in some parallel universe where teenagers have never heard of sex or 'heaven forbid' engaged in it?
Myrna Minkoff
Mar 17th 2010, 08:13
the charges are harsh, but the writer and editor are idiots for even publishing this. You make your own bed.
G.Schembri
Mar 17th 2010, 08:03
This is unbelievable, so this man will be charged for something he wrote while in his early 20s, what will happen next, will the police start checking what youths write in their diaries, in bloggs or on facebook. Why doesn't the police force go after the REAL criminals.
J Micallef
Mar 17th 2010, 08:02
Can't beleive this is happening in 2010! What a surreal country, full of double lives, hypocrisy, and above all omerta'.
Eric Gahn
Mar 17th 2010, 07:38
Oh my public morals are so injured......by the fact that Vella Gera is facing charges over a story he wrote. Weren't we promised LIBERTA once by another PN in another time?
Kenneth Cassar
Mar 17th 2010, 07:25
Tomás de Torquemada would have been so proud!