Stop complaining at roadblocks - AFM

Drivers and passengers involved in roadblocks have started to complain about being stopped and searched, following a series of articles in The Sunday Times questioning their legality.

But the Armed Forces of Malta have denied claims of abuse of power and warned road users not to obstruct soldiers from doing their job.

In January a European Court of Human Rights judgment declared that police stop and search powers in the UK were illegal because they violated the individual's right to privacy.

It has not yet been established if this will prompt the Maltese authorities to end similar vehicle checkpoints.

Last Sunday, an 18-year-old spoke on condition of anonymity about being strip-searched to his boxers in Gozo during a carnival weekend roadblock.

An AFM spokesman denied his "baseless, anonymous and untrue" claims, adding that strip-searches were never conducted, particularly in streets or by the wayside.

In a statement issued yesterday, the AFM urged the public to collaborate with the procedures as this would enable them to continue their journey in a "problem-free manner".

Speaking to The Times, the AFM spokesman said that, if soldiers were obstructed from performing their duties, "drivers or passengers may make themselves liable to prosecution".

He said people did not need to complain to soldiers conducting roadblocks since these were sanctioned by law and followed strict procedures to guarantee everybody's safety, courtesy and professionalism.

"AFM personnel cannot be victimised simply because of such baseless and false reports," he said.

He added that the ECHR ruling referred to British practices which originated from "a completely different context - that of anti-terrorism efforts".

Malta's context was different because such checkpoints were started more than 30 years ago and remained in force to "support law enforcement efforts, not trample on civil liberties".

"Law enforcers should not be targeted. If individuals feel aggrieved and deem it inappropriate or outdated, then the legislation should be challenged."

The AFM spokesman said that on March 18, one roadblock stopped 34 cars and found a Somali man in possession of cannabis and a trafficker with 13 sachets of cocaine.

Meanwhile, on March 20, a Saturday night, 37 cars were stopped and the following was found: a Somali and a Maltese woman with cannabis, four Somalis and one Maltese without licences, three drivers without insurance, and a drunk man without insurance.

In the AFM's latest vehicle checkpoint operation, a 22-year-old driver and three passengers were detained on Sunday night after being found with cannabis leaves in the car.