Advert

€10,000 reward for information on CABS assailants

The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) today announced that it would pay a reward of up to €10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the men who attacked a CABS patrol vehicle with rocks near il-Qaws on Saturday morning.

"It was only a matter of luck that no one was seriously hurt" CABS president Heinz Schwarze said in a statement.

According to CABS, five masked men took part in the assault.

"A sum of €2,000 will be paid out for information leading to the arrest and conviction of each of the five criminals" Mr Schwarze said.

"It is not usually our policy to resort to such means. But in view of the escalating violence against our members we have decided that this step is now necessary".

CABS also announced that pictures taken by them that identify poachers in the countryside would be shortly published on their website at www.komitee.de/en .

" The police have not yet been able to identify all the poachers filmed by us in the last two weeks" comments CABS spokesperson Axel Hirschfeld. Anyone recognising the men in the photos should contact the A.L.E. or - anonymously if necessary - the CABS office in Germany.

CABS ATTACKED IN CYPRUS AS WELL

CABS also reported that one of its teams of international bird conservationists in Cyprus was attacked on Saturday.

They had just dismantled 30 limesticks and freed protected migrant species when they were savagely attacked by four Cypriot men with stones, fists and boots on common land near Paralimni. The CABS members, a mixed Italian, German and British team, had spent the day locating and destroying illegal traps and cleaning the sticky lime from the helpless song birds before releasing them.

An American journalist from the respected magazine New Yorker who was accompanying the team described the scene as "a war zone".

Advert

70 Comments

Post comment

Comments are submitted under the express understanding and condition that the editor may, and is authorised to, disclose any/all of the above personal information to any person or entity requesting the information for the purposes of legal action on grounds that such person or entity is aggrieved by any comment so submitted.

At this time your comment will not be displayed immediately upon posting. Please allow some time for your comment to be moderated before it is displayed.

Your User Profile is incomplete.
Please click here to complete your profile before posting comments.

H Wolf

May 5th 2010, 21:29

Sylvana, I don't need to hide behind fiction. Truth sets you free.

Please, feel free to look up the constitution of Malta, the only and I mean the ONLY time it deals with "foreign interference" is in regards to election. Section 1, which you are so fond of referring to deals only with detailing what Malta is.

Ignore me if you wish but you only prove your own ignorance.

I have not ignored your question but have have answered it in full and in these message boards I have only answered and spoken what I believe/know to be the truth. I do not take after others, such as yourself, to obfuscate and spin the truth. Can you say the same? I came into this discussion only to try and stop the hate, to try and stop the bickering. I was met by hostility such as that from you. Can you honestly say that you have come here to help or only to further the divide between the two sides?

H Wolf

May 5th 2010, 16:39

Actually, Sylvana, it's section 57, clause 13. Foreign interference deals only with elections.

Regarding my comments here and debates, those are covered by Chapter IV, section 41: Protection of Freedom of expression. Would you like to debate this point more? Or would you like further proof that a "foreigner" knows your constitution better than you?

In response to your question, yes. If the abuse is so rampant, then they should be all over their spokesmen (see FKNK) demanding that something be done to curb the illegalities that are reflecting so badly on their sport. If you want a direct comparison, why are the vast majority of Libyans barred from entering Paceville establishments? A few young ones gave them all a bad name and now there are few, if any, bars or discos in Paceville that will allow in any arabic looking people. Is that fair to the ones that won't cause trouble?

Joe Fenech

May 5th 2010, 13:27

You don't need a permit to make sure that no one is abiding to the law. They are not arresting the culprits but singling them out. That could be done by ANYONE!

marco meli

May 5th 2010, 18:12

so why is a simple security guard provided with a police permit and training against payment? he also doesn't arrests a culprit but singling him in!

Joe Fenech

May 5th 2010, 20:04

These are not security guards! They're doing something ANYONE can do!

Daniel Vella

May 5th 2010, 10:35

There are a lot of areas where I think my ancestors got it wrong, so that line of thinking is wrong. While hunting was certainly not a negative thing in the distant past (food), it certainly is in today's context.

If you are saying that he best part of being a 'hunter' is waking up in the morning, going to the "ghalqa", talk to fellow 'hunters', gathering beans, etc, why do you need the killing of birds?

marco meli

May 5th 2010, 11:17

well said mate!!!!!

Mark A. Bezzina

May 5th 2010, 14:18

@Vella

I can understand his point. When I go fishing it's the same thing. When I catch a fish it makes my efforts worth while. Apart from that, its nice to take something home once in a while.

H Wolf

May 4th 2010, 18:54

I'm not here to convince you of anything. I'm here simply to debate.

Regarding your reference to the constitution, please, by all means, quote the section to prove your point. I doubt you will though, because if there is, I guarantee it has nothing to do with the current situation. Just as those that tried to say "all year hunting" in other countries when it was piecemealed together across many species and the only ones allowed to actually be shot year round being pest species.

Regarding comparisons, please try to compare apples to apples. Hunting is not a necessity, it's a sport. Transportation is a necessity. Let's take band marches for example. How many people were deprived of their band marching because of the uncontrolled shenannigans of a few. Or maybe football hooligans? How many restrictions were put in place in multiple countries simply because of the actions of a few?

The fact is this, the hunters that follow the rules and do as they should are being severely damaged by those few that cannot follow the laws. Guess what? If CABS had had nothing to report but arm-banded hunters following the regulations...you wouldn't have seen CABS again.

Kenneth Cassar

May 5th 2010, 08:34

"...foreign interference is still "enshrined in the Maltese constitution"".

Actually, it never was.

Andrew Gatt

May 4th 2010, 15:59

What do you want the FKNK to say, Carmen? That they offered to PAY for FULL-TIME POLICE PROTECTION for CABS members while out in the countryside - thus ensuring their protection AND ensuring that their claims are backed by a Police presence?

Which they did. Which was refused. Which makes one think.

What do YOU have to say about it, then?

Paul Calleja

May 4th 2010, 09:56

Sylvana if you read the text properly it was "€10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the men who attacked a CABS patrol vehicle". Since there were "five masked men" it is simple to assume that €10,000 divided by 5 is €2,000 each. For 1 guy you get 2000, for 5 you get 10000 - simple maths really

H Wolf

May 4th 2010, 12:32

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin, it.seems your selective reading stikes again. Read the full quote. €2000 for EACH of the five perpetrators. 5 x €2000 = €10000. So yes, they will pay €10000 if all five are turned in. So tell me, who is trying to be deceitful? CABS or you, by twisting the truth?

FYI, Hunters have no right to hunt. It is not enshrined in the Maltese constitution. Hunting is an activity that is a privilege that if abused can be taken away. If Maltese hunters continue to allow a few of their own members to abuse the laws and regulations, they will have noone to blame but themselves for allowing such activities to continue and doing nothing to prevent them.

If the hunters would truly be interested in protecting their sport, CABS would not have to be here. Why? Because hunters would be out in the field doing their best to make sure that violators are turned in. If hunting is abolished in Malta, the FKNK will have noone to blame but themselves. CABS is simply the messenger, but it is the poachers committing the crimes.

Kenneth Cassar

May 5th 2010, 08:32

"Finally, I urge the Maltese Government and the Commissioner of Police to enlighten us as to whether CABS have a right to ask individuals to report to "the CABS office in Germany"!!!"

Why not?

Joe Fenech

May 5th 2010, 14:14

It's WORSE than a Wild West country! We know it, now EVERYONE in Europe is starting to be aware of this! Viva l-EU which has exposed us. We needed it badly in order to become civilised!

D. Scerri

May 3rd 2010, 16:12

It would all depend if they had broken the law, as has happened in this case.

J. Borg

May 3rd 2010, 16:14

if CABS are doing anything illegal...you're welcome to film them.....

until then....it would be opportune of you give your input to deter/identify criminal hunters/trappers accordingly.

Charles Gauci

May 3rd 2010, 15:55

Dear Mr. Mifsud Bonnici, why sould we care how CABS spend the money collected in Germany? I would be more interested to know what your association and FKNK are doing to curb the illegalities perpetrated daily by your members. Only this morning (at 0705 hrs) a Honey Buzzard was shot very close to the Red Tower area in Mellieha - close season, protected bird, protected area. Of course ALE were duly informed but I am sure they did not find the culprit who did not even bother to retreive the bird.

bryan sullivan

May 3rd 2010, 16:07

ehm mark ! perhaps to repair their cars smashed and burnt by illegal hunters and poachers.

J. Borg

May 3rd 2010, 16:19

speaking about finances...it would be better to clarify who is ready to finance any fines imposed by the EC due to hunting abuses.

if you believe that the chances of such fines are inexistent - then what is FKNK waiting to formally declare that it will be ready to foot the bill, when and if need be?

A.Attard

May 3rd 2010, 16:48

''Could they tell us where else the money they recieve is spent?''
Replacing car parts & broken cameras, no thanks to hunters.

G.Debono

May 3rd 2010, 16:58

Mr. Spiteri

I cannot comprehend your line of argument with the links provided. I only managed the first one to be precise, which condems the brutal killing of an Eagle in Scotland. Unfortunate, incomprehensable and disgusting. I believe all people of good character will agree and condem it.
However why should CABS not come to Malta, according to you in relation to other monstrocities that happen elsewhere?
This is like saying that the EU should not impose sanctions on Malta related to environment pollution because there is pollution elsewhere.

If people had to conceptualise and argument things the way you seem to be going at - then we might as well blow up the Earth and finish it off now. When will hunters or people like you get it into their heads once and for all that their wrongs will never make our right. We've got to start from somewhere and there are many such start ups in different countries. You just don't know it (or don't want to for your egoistic reasons).
I have nothing against people coming here to protect some of our nature, irrispective what happens in their country. I am concerned with what happens here.

Mario Borg

May 3rd 2010, 13:50

Well said Mr Caruana.

C.Busuttil

May 3rd 2010, 15:55

@M Caruana
1) Had the majority really wanted to enjoy the countryside they would have opposed the destruction of that countryside that has taken place in the last 30 years. Stop making assumptions that don't exist.
2) Although I am against hunting who on earth are you to label people as being of average intellect, Ma kontx naf li fostna hawn Socrates mhux il-plejer imma l-filosofu!!!!!!
Since you believe that the EU is some sort of Babbau you are once again wrong in the EU you can find a solution for everything you just have to have the right timing and you will get whatever concession you want including hunting. Only we Maltese have not realized this. The Italians have been doing what they like such as not meeting deadlines, corruption, laws made to measure, landfills that are against the EU directives and yet still operated as if nothing and indeed nothing happens. They call it "L'arte di arrangiarsi" and the EU "Un cane che non morde"

mark sultana

May 3rd 2010, 13:58

did you say go home????? it's the most common phrase heard by illegal hunters...hmm makes me wonder....

A.Attard

May 3rd 2010, 14:40

Ashamed of the dirty linen in your country?
or have you got something to hide?

J. Borg

May 3rd 2010, 15:28

Malta Police do a better job without CABS ?!

are you serious?!

An idea how many hunters/trappers were apprehended by the police...compared to the evidence collated by BLM and CABS ...... and by the way forget any input from FKNK (zero tolerance my foot!)

P. Camilleri

May 3rd 2010, 14:12

You're completely wrong. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to say who the people were if i knew. Hope that these cowards get caught.

J. Borg

May 3rd 2010, 15:24

sure you don't....

and to think that FKNK wanted to introduce self-regulation....

when throughout the years those out hunting turned a blind eye to the abuses being perpetrated by their peers - either because they were afraid of incuring arson attacks or simply because they were outnumbered!

Joseph Micallef

May 3rd 2010, 18:51

If I knew who they were I would yes report them - and refuse the reward money - because it is our duty to report such crimes!

Pcachia

May 3rd 2010, 13:37

Something New!!! No it's not, this is common practice around the world to reward members of the public in bringing the idiots who did this to trial!!! Don't you see how ignorant you and anybody else who try to support or defend these actions are? The more this carries on the more cause for condemning the illegal hunting and slaughter of wildlife. Keep on smashing cars, and breaking the law, it only makes the few law abiding hunters look bad while bolstering and reinforcing CABS and other environmentalists to increase their monitoring and reporting of such illegal activities.

wally vella-zarb

May 3rd 2010, 13:41

There's absolutely nothing to prevent those persons from objecting and suing CABS for infringement of their privacy. Something tells me, however, that they will waive this option...

G.Micallef

May 3rd 2010, 13:53

How outrageous, barbaric and shallow!

J. Borg

May 3rd 2010, 15:20

Mr. Said

They (the hunters/trappers) were breaking the law....data protection does not protect attempts to identify criminals.

Thus if you are incapable of weeding out the criminals amongst your commrades - the least you could do is simply to desist from shortsightedly attacking those who are thanklessly striving to have laws observed.

Advert
Advert