Fined for defamatory comments on website

The sole candidate of the Liberal Democratic Alliance, John Zammit, was fined €1,000 and warned not to molest or libel Labour MP Joe Mizzi in the coming year or face a further fine of €2,300.

The case was opened after the police received a complaint from Mr Mizzi who said Mr Zammit had posted defamatory comments about him on the MP's website and had insulted him.

The comments were made in March last year.

In his judgment, Magistrate Silvio Meli said the charges of insulting and defaming Mr Mizzi were "abundantly" proven and so he found the accused guilty.

The magistrate placed Mr Zammit under a guarantee of €2,329 that he would forfeit should he insult or defame Mr Mizzi again within a year. In the event that he does, he will be charged again before another magistrate.

Mr Zammit will be appealing the decision.