Updated: PL requests inquiry into prisoner's death
Ministry says inquiry already being held
(Adds ministry's reaction)
A “serious and independent” inquiry has been requested by the Labour Party into the death of a prisoner on Saturday after suffering from pain in his upper torso.
Justice spokesman Michael Falzon said in a statement there were serious doubts on what happened with certain sources not agreeing with the official statement that had been made.
Dr Falzon said that the late inmate’s relatives and the people, had the right to know what really happened so that if there were shortcomings they would not be repeated and justice would be made.
He said that the shortcomings at the prisons included crowding, a lack of staff and resources.
MINISTRY'S REACTION
The Justice Ministry said that an independent and impartial inquiry was already being held by magistrate Gabriella Vella, who was informed of the prisoner’s death on the day of the incident.
She appointed medical expert Mario Scerri to help in the investigations.
The ministry said it had no doubt that the inquiry was being held in the most serious way according to law so one should wait for its conclusions to see what were the reasons and circumstances behind the inmate’s death.