Update 2: Sliema mayor pleads not guilty to bribery charges
Sliema mayor Nikki Dimech was this evening granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000 after he pleaded "definitely not guilty" to charges of reviling a public officer and asking for a bribe.
Bail was also given on condition that Mr Dimech does not travel abroad and does not approach anyone involved in the case, primarily contractor Stephen Buhagiar, directly or indirectly.
In a tense court sitting during which Mr Dimech’s girlfriend was thrown out of the courtroom after prosecutor Angelo Gafa complained about her gestures, defence lawyers Joe Giglio and Stephen Tonna Lowell argued that Mr Dimech should not have been arrested with urgency.
They said that he was being arraigned on two counts, one was a bribery charge that was investigated on August 11 and he had not been arraigned at that point.
But Inspector Gafa argued that Mr Dimech that the arrest was important because the mayor was giving interviews in which he was making very serious allegations against officers in charge.
The defence lawyers said that one should not be arrested just for criticising the authorities.
After taking a short break to consider the matter, Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna decided the arrest had been justified.
At one point, the magistrate asked the lawyers if they were claiming that the inspector had broken the law during the interrogation and they said they were not.
However, their client believed that the interrogation had not been carried out as best as it could.
Inspector Gafa claimed that Mr Dimech had approached Mr Buhagiar through a third party requesting him to drop his claims.
Mr Dimech was elected on the PN ticket but resigned from the party last week after he was dismissed by the administration of the Nationalist Party in view of his admission to the police that he had solicited a commission from Mr Buhagiar.
The mayor, who is also facing a motion of no confidence by some of the Sliema councillors, has since denied the allegations and said he admitted to the “false accusations” after suffering a panic attack and telling the police “what they wanted to hear”.
The police have said all his rights under interrogation were respected.
99 Comments
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R.Lewis
Sep 2nd 2010, 13:49
I supported you further down in the blogs Mr.Dimech, although I don't know you, and I don't come from Sliema neither. If all this fuss and show off is based only on what somebody said, then this Country is in a real mess. Its obvious from what Mr.Dimech has just stated that there is something wrong in between.The €1200 per month salary mentioned paid to Mr.Buhagiar, what was his job then. Do Mayors have a driver as well. The Court case should be dealt with emergency, and if found guilty Mr.Dimech should then resign and not now. We wait for this afternoon's vote and I hope everyone will vote with sincerity.
John A. Zammit
Sep 2nd 2010, 11:37
Dear Mr. Dimech,
I have never met you but I have been following the unfolding of your case. I assume that you have read my previous comment. I would be obliged if you were to tell me whether the person with his forearm in plaster in actual fact was Inspector Gafa. As an ex-inspector of police who has been following the criminal justice system both locally and overseas for over forty years, establishing this fact is quite important for reasons which for now I wish to keep for myself.
Roberta Dimech
Sep 2nd 2010, 12:23
Dear Mr Zammit,
Yes, infact, the person with his forearm in plaster is Inspector Gafa. Thank you for your interest.
c. Muscat
Sep 2nd 2010, 08:26
Good luck Mr. Dimech. I do not know you but you have my full support against totalitarian authorities. I am morally sure you were never bribed.
Stephen Borg Cardona
Sep 2nd 2010, 00:40
One wonders at the PN s screening system, too many bad apples have joined the party.
Nikki Dimech
Sep 2nd 2010, 00:30
Dear all
I thank all of those who are supporting me in this film I am living. I think it is my duty to answer a few facts since this became a national issue. These are a few answers:
1. Stephen Buhagiar (ex Robert Arrigo Driver) stated "I asked for a 5% to 10% commission on his wage of € 1,200 per month. He stated also I asked once, he refused and I still proposed him and voted for him. He was awarded the tender and the wage was capped by myself (as initially we were looking at a % on contracts certified - I decided to cap the tender at € 16,000). He also states I never asked for a present since he was awarded the tender.
2. What he doesnt state:
a) He was sacked with a 9 - 1 vote and I wasnt present
b) Why did he come out now accusing me of something he claims I did over a year ago. He has been 7 months sacked.
c) He has also tried to involve another person to go and report with him
I am sorry for this person who was used by a livid snake.
Frans Attard
Sep 2nd 2010, 08:47
Have you been investigated just on what this Buhagiar reported to the police? Are there any witnesses?
Roberta Dimech
Sep 2nd 2010, 10:55
@ Frans Attard
I answer in Nikki's name...yes, this was the ONLY reason of the investigation - a farse!
At least the truth will come out in court now as certain media has inflated facts to its convenience.
Frans Attard
Sep 2nd 2010, 11:41
Thank you for your answer Ms.Dimech.
Frans Attard
Sep 2nd 2010, 12:33
Mid-dehra dawn ix-xufiera u ex-xufiera tal-membri parlamentari u tal-ministri ghandhom 'power' enormi.
Min jaf ghaliex?????????
Emanuel Farrugia
Sep 1st 2010, 21:52
Meta titfassal il-froga u tkun saret sew, imbaghad kulhadd bravu, intelligenti u moralista.
Imma dan pajjiz nisrani?
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
k azzopardi
Sep 1st 2010, 21:11
I have voted PN since i was 18 and though they were far from perfect at times I have defended them through thick and thin. Even though we were sometimes faced with hobson's choice there was only one party that I felt i could consider but frankly I have had enough. I am sick to the teeth of this cloak and dagger stuff. PBO and co please get real or get out - this is no longer fair on other more serious MPs whom you are letting down. Come back joe saliba , all is forgiven.
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Sep 1st 2010, 20:02
As evidenced by the numerous comments down here, which apart from a few are in accord, people tend to react very negatively to low and dirty political tricks. If anything this unfolding saga has shown to what levels certain politicians are ready to stoop to tighten their (and their party's) grip to absolute power. The way the PN (and the PN friendly) media were ammunitioned with the crudest of arms to literally wipe Nikki Dimech out of the political scene and to even unearth his past to destroy his and his family's morale and dignity uncovers one simple inconvenient (for many) truth ; the PN cannot be trusted anymore no matter how uneasy one might feel with Labour in power!!
Joseph E Briffa
Sep 1st 2010, 18:16
I will not enter into the merits of whether Dimech asked Buhagiar for a commission (we have Buhagiar's word against Nikkie's denial) ; or whether Buhagiar did pay the commission ( he says he did not) .. But may I ask why is Nikkie being treated like an arch criminal? Why was his first statement denying the allegation not accepted by the Police? Did the Police have reason to believe that Buhagiar's credibility is greater than Nikkie's? Is it true that Nikkie was kept in solitary for three hours before the resumption of the interrogation? Why was he released only after he admitted the allegation? ND says he was denied his medication and signed the second statement under duress while the Police deny this and say everything was done according to the book. If the Police were satisfied with the second statement - he was in fact released - why was ND charged in court almost three weeks later and why was he taken to court at dead of night? Couldn't this have waited for the following morning? Independently of the outcome of the case, vox populi is perceiving Nikkie as a martyr.
MBorg
Sep 1st 2010, 18:45
You are right everybody is thinking that Nikki is being victimize I have never met , I do not know Nikki, but I do not like the way he is being treated. Someone , somewhere wants him out of the way quick. I only hope that when the councillors cast their vote tomorrow they will not be influenced by what is happening and will not vote to remove him. He is being treated like a hardened criminal when nothing has been proved yet. It is just Buhagiar's word against his. Why are they all believing Buhagiar and not Nikki?
Alexander Pace Gouder.
Sep 1st 2010, 16:49
It is more then clear that Nikki was taken to court yesterday so that this will be timed before the other Councillors take their vote in the motion of no confidence against Nikki. My question to these councillors after all that has been happening is: What are your inner true feeling about this motion? Has this saga influenced you? So before you cast your vote think twice because somewhere in the line seems to be going wrong. No one of us knows.Only the parties involved know the answer. Also why has the clerification letter been sent to all Sliema Residents. Rather fishy indeed. This letter it seems has backfired from comments being heard in Sliema. One of which is "Tajba din mela issa se nircevu pataflun ittri minn ghand il Partit taghna fuq kull haga li ma hix tajba fil-pajjiz ghax dan il mument hawn hafna...................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C Attard
Sep 1st 2010, 13:40
For those who worked and know Nikky know what a good person he is and the PN and authorities should treat him with respect as a person I can not imagine what he’s going trough I am person that would like to serve the PN and the people but after this and knowing what a person is Nikky I thinks ill vote for PL or I wont vote at all and stay behind closed doors. It makes me feel like we are living in a communist country! Even if Nikky did wrong...come on everyone makes mistakes but you do not treat a person like this and make a show out of him...there must be something behind this...there must be...I hardly can believe it! What about the Gozo mayor...what about san gwann mayor...I would like to see there show too!!!! We are wasting time on stupid things...
MBorg
Sep 1st 2010, 13:39
Was the rush to get him arrested connected to the fact that tomorrow the other councilors are voting to oust Nikki Dimech from office ? Was it used to influence tomorrow's vote ? Is there somebody who wants him out of the way. This is unfolding like a soap opera , with alot of unanswered questions.
It has been said that the next in line Mrs Gonzi does not even live in Sliema. I am sure that Sliema deserves a mayor that is a resident of the locality.
Manuel Briffa
Sep 1st 2010, 13:24
Iluminawni, tal-media normali li jkunu avzati min qabel f'kazi bhal dan, jew hemm xi cameraman ghassa hdejn il-qorti ghal li jista jinqala? U jekk u l-kaz li jigu avzati, ghal liema raguni jsir dan?
Grazzi bil quddiem
P.Camilleri
Sep 1st 2010, 13:16
Sur K.Scerri
State Police=Corrupt State=Totalitarian State......i tried very hard to forget but some names still kept coming up.....Pietru Pawl Busuttil,Raymond Caruana,Wilfred Cardona,Nardu Debono,Vella,tal-Barrani,Festi Indipendenza.
Mark Agius
Sep 1st 2010, 16:18
Many others you forgot,Karin Grech being one of them.
C. Muscat
Sep 1st 2010, 17:02
I agree with you. ONCE BITTEN. TWICE SHY.
Tommy Vella
Sep 1st 2010, 17:30
You forgot also University students (especially medical), teachers on strike, bankers on strike, doctors on strike...the list seems to be endless.
Carmel Garcia
Sep 2nd 2010, 12:43
P. Camilleri ma nsejnihomx dawn u ghalhekk ma ghandniex ninsewhom ghax il-partit demokratiku KRISTJAN Nazzjonalista qed jikkoppja dak li ghamel haddiehor fil-passat. Kien hemm ghalfejn jinfetah bil-lejl il-qorti? Hemm bzonn ta' partit alternattiv f'dan il-pajjiz. Xbajna b'dawn iz-zewg partiti. Oqbra mbajda ghajjarhom Kristu lil-farizej.
O.Grixti
Sep 1st 2010, 12:45
What a shame! Opening a court at night to make a show with Mr.Dimech. The PN lost all its credibility for me and for all those open minded people (the floating voters that in the next election will decide who is going to be elected, the ones that last election made the PN to winn for less than 1500).
It is more than clear that PBO and the PN is acting like this to cover up something(why not show the phone calls of PBO and Mr.Dimech, instead of sending a letter to sliema residents, maybe also from our pockets), they are hurrying up things. Maybe they need another Gonzi representative in Sliema, as things may not go as they are expecting (good councillors resigning from the PN club when forced to vote against their will).
What about the 4M BWSC? Did they open the court or an investigation? they are out Tax money?
What is the sum that Mr.Dimech is accused for? peanuts or what cause it was never mentioned.
This country and the PN party is like a car driving in a downhill without breaks! At some point there will be the Bang, thing will be uncovered.
C Muscat
Sep 1st 2010, 11:41
I do not know Dimech from nowhere. But this case has given me hope that this surname means something. He is one of the few that stood up to be counted. I hope he is innocent but even if he is not; he has been treated in a way worse than any criminal. We all can see now how a totalitarian state work. I am very well conversant with many types of such contracts and as one saw in the enemalta contract the commission was 4 million. Practically there is always a commission which initself is not the bad thing. This is part of a salesman salary. What is bad is that we had to pay more than double the reasonable amount for building a general hospital. We always have to pay exorbitant amount for any major project and this is always with the blessing of the authorities and no one to blame. This is a open secret. Leone Ganado stated correctly that at last the people are opening our eyes. Shame on Totalitarianism. Let everybody be able to express his opinion without being terrorised.
R.Lewis
Sep 1st 2010, 11:09
How much money is involved in this bribery case, (COMMISSION) as no amount has been mentioned so far. I presume that opening the Court at 2100hrs, the sum must exceed €4m and certainly from taxpayers money. The Court did not open late at night for the VAT scandal which involved about €12m. Miskin Nikki, although I don't even have the slightest clue who he is. Poor chap. The Court should stay open 24 hours a day for other corruption cases we have been hearing about. If I say that this is a Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse, I will be offending Mr.Mickey Mouse.
s.sammut
Sep 1st 2010, 10:56
machiavelli politics at their best. Shame PN and its present administration. Never has this Party stooped so low.
MBorg
Sep 1st 2010, 10:39
Why all this rush ? Why at night ? Did he kill anybody ? Is he a drug dealer ? As far as we all know nothing has yet been proved.
D Bezzina
Sep 1st 2010, 12:04
Very Odd !
John A. Zammit
Sep 1st 2010, 10:20
For a written statement by an accused to be accepted as evidence it has to be proved that it was done voluntarily - there is a load of case law in this regard. In my opinion, in view of what had happened after Dimech's interrogation, the police added the charge of defamation to help them overcome this hurdle in the forthcoming criminal proceedings. As to the timing of the arraignment it is amply clear that some superior power had a hand in this; I come to this conclusion as if I have noticed well the inspector had his arm in plaster; under normal circumstances in such a condition he would be on sick leave and not arraigning people with urgency during night time. I stand to be corrected on my last comment as I do not know Inspector Gafa' personally hence I cannot say for a fact that it was he who had his arm in plaster.
Clayton Borg
Sep 1st 2010, 10:16
This guy seems to be the sacrificial lamb used to distract an entire population from the major wrongdoings being commited by the government.
Mario Bonnici
Sep 1st 2010, 11:48
I agree with you
D Bezzina
Sep 1st 2010, 12:06
I also agree fully ..Somethings not right about this .
f.fenech
Sep 1st 2010, 09:59
dat tifel ridu jatu show bih u ekk qet jamlu .....
min hu kriminal aktar xorta stennew sa filodu biex resquh il qorti....manafx ala dal hafna purcinellati tard bil lejl.....
imma f dal kaz ridu jatu show....
G.pisani
Sep 1st 2010, 09:58
All corruption must be punished but what about the power station contract, many still believe there was something fishy about the winner. But why does the PN stays quiet about this? Why was this case rushed to court and more serious cases are left pending for years?
albert leone ganado
Sep 1st 2010, 09:36
What appeared initially to be a minor case of alleged bribery and which in similar cases often ended with the the person concerned just resigning is turning into a veritable "cause celebre" more common in the Italian politico legal justice shenanigan system. It seems that rather than take the measured advice of resigning as many of us advised as the most honorable way out or perhaps way of least resistance Nikki Dimech seems to have decided to challenge directly two powerful fonts of power in Malta namely the party in power and the police. There is no doubt that the forces of established order are using all the armoury at their disposal to try to smother him. Whether Mr Dimech is a master of mendicity or perhaps truthful in what he claims should be reserved for the courts to decide and he is to be presumed innocent until proven guilty as much as those of the establishment he is accusing. What is certain is that the establishment faced with such a challenge is puzzled and reacting in the most naive arrogant and imposing way as a consequence of which Mr Dimech is winning handsdown the media and public spin game.
Frans Attard
Sep 1st 2010, 09:35
Hawn hafna qeq isemmu hafna kazi li messhom gew investigati. Jien nahseb li dawn qed jghagglu ghax jien nahseb li dan kien biss il-bidu u li l-kbir ghadu gej. Niehdu l-kaz tal-Power Station, per ezempju, dan il-kaz qieghed quddiem l-EU. Jekk hawn Malta ma ttiehdux passi, dan hu htijja tal-pulizija u mhux tal-gvern, ghax ma nnvestigatx.
ian christie
Sep 1st 2010, 09:31
Yesterday I was very surprised to receive a letter from Mr. Borg Olivier trying to explain what's happening and putting my mind at rest that the PN is doing everything possible to bring light and justice to the world.
Firstly, how did the Nationalist party get my home address? I'm not subscribed to the party ( and never was). Further more I would expect the local council to send official correspondence not the National party.( please note that in over a year since I have been registered in Sliema this is the first ever letter informing me of anything happening here).
Secondly the letter implied that Mr Dimech was as good as guilty and the PN was doing it's best to distance them self from their once Golden Boy. I believe that it's the courts jobs to prove ones innocent or guilt and NOT the administration of PN.
Its another valid reasons for parties to be kept out of local government.
R Grima
Sep 1st 2010, 10:56
well if u have an id card registered in sliema, you are registered in the electoral register and that is how anyone can get your address
Carmel Garcia
Sep 1st 2010, 09:30
Who said it's no hatred? What a CHRISTIAN Democratic Party? I always voted for PN, but in the future I will choose an alternative.
Geoffrey Mifsud Farrugia
Sep 1st 2010, 09:15
meta xxellef difrejk ma partit politiku, ikun liema jkun, dan li tistenna! dalle stelle alle stelle f'hakka t'ghajn.
P. Cassar
Sep 1st 2010, 09:09
WHAT IS AMPLY CLEAR:
WHEN THE PN DECEIDES TO DESTROY YOU. IT DOES IT VEHEMENTLY AND ALL MEASURES BECOME ACCEPTABLE.
MAYBE NIKKY DID NOT KNOW HIS OWN PARTY BUT HE COULD HAVE ASKED FELLOW PN MEMBERS LIKE EX MINISTERS (DISMISSED BY EMAILS) , OR BACK STABBED.
l fenech
Sep 1st 2010, 09:04
And the beat goes on.....
rjcostigan
Sep 1st 2010, 08:41
Lill kull min qed jikkummenta - tajjeb jew hazin.
Isimghu w aqraw x'se johrog mill-kumpilazzjoni jigifieri kif graw il-fatti
mbghad ikkummentaw. Mhux kulhadd iwaddab id-'darts', fejn laqat
laqat.
mpace2
Sep 1st 2010, 08:35
Are the councillors on the P.N. ticket are scared from Nikki actions or are afraid that he saying the true and maybe their will be a split in their ranks and their political wing will suffer in their stronghold bastion from many disgusted supporters - keep the good work Nikki you will bring opposite councillors with you and form a rebel political party against the big heads
Dennis Zammit
Sep 1st 2010, 08:27
The fact about requesting the presence of a lawyer is that if you ask for a lawyer during Police interrogation, you loose the right of not responding to the questions made by the investigating officers.
I cannot understand the statement mentioned earlier about the alleged fact that Nikki Dimech's lawyer was abroad when questioned by the Police the first time. During yesterday's arraignment to court, he clearly had two lawyers and therefore, the issue of his lawyer was abroad was just an excuse . . . he could have asked for the other one!
K Scerri
Sep 1st 2010, 08:25
State Police = Corrupt State = Totalitarian State
Frans Attard
Sep 1st 2010, 08:07
'Inspector Gafa claimed that Mr.Dimech had approached Mr.Buhagiar through a third party requesting him to drop his claim.'
What claim? Can anyone explain please?
C Muscat
Sep 1st 2010, 09:04
Sur Frans Attard,
Now that you mentioned Buhagiar and the promise to keep clean; may I ask where is this Mr. Buhagiar in all this. If he bribed or tried to bribe dimech, he should be also charged accordingly. Don't you think so?
R Cassar
Sep 1st 2010, 09:22
He claimed this to have happened before the 11th Aug, therefore before Mr Dimech was even questioned and therefore before he even knew there had been this statement against him!!!
It was just a last desperate try at the magistrate to convince him to keep Mr Dimech arrested...that was the only intention behind this farse
VV Bartolo
Sep 1st 2010, 08:03
@ frans attard
ma min iridu jzommuha l-kelma taghhom in-nazzjonalisti??
what about the case of the SUPER YACHTS? kindly let us know the end result of this enormous bribe mr attard as to date me & lots of others are still in the dark!
J Brincat
Sep 1st 2010, 07:44
Why was he arraigned in the dark of night? What's the hurry? Certainly he is not a hardened criminal. How bizzare can it get!
joanna farrugia
Sep 1st 2010, 06:29
@ frans attard saqsija lil nies kemm in nazzjonalisti izzommha kelmtom.ezatt kif ghidt int ax fiz zmien l elezzjoni jghid mod u wara jaghmel mod iehor.tiftakar sur attard meta gie mistoqsi dwar il cilindru tal gass hux ha joghla u sur gonzi qal le mela ha nfakkrek ax il bierah rega ghola.u xi tghid al kontijiet?ezatt zammha kelmtu!!!!!!!!
Christopher Scerri
Sep 1st 2010, 01:55
I wonder why no one from the power station fiasco was arrigned in court...small fish big fish....GONZI don't tell us that you are fighting corruption because of this....We still want answers with regards to the power station do not try and disulude us from reality.....We are not living back in the past where people were easily patronised...where MLP voters were burried in 'special' areas...we are in 2010
alexander pace gouder.
Sep 1st 2010, 00:51
Opening the Court at such a time (AT NIGHT) for a Bribery Charge and all the Press is informed to be present. (What is happening in Democratic Malta??????) It looks more like a film ? Is this the first time that this has happened that the court is opened at night for a bribery charge, if there is bribery involved!!!!!!!!!! Lets all hope that ( The truth) will prevail as it seem that the dirty game of politics is involved.(DOWN WITH POLITICS)
Mary Ann Borg
Sep 1st 2010, 00:35
I consider myself a staunch Nationalist but I'm feeling very uncomfortable with the way things are developing in this case. I think both the police (and especially the police) and the Party are using a rather heavy hand in all this. I firmly believe in freedom and if Mr Dimech is saying he was treated unfairly during interrogation by denying the man the medicine, then I feel that not enough progress has been made in Malta when it comes to police tactics. What really worries me is that I was expecting the government to immediately start investigations on how the interrogation was handled to put everyone's mind at rest that proper procedures were followed. But not even this took place and this is what is irking me because a country that does not check its police is a country not fully democratically fit. At this time, whether Mr Dimech is a victim or a crook is irrelevant to me. What is relevant, instead, is that I don't want to live in a country where just because one's lawyer is abroad then one loses the right to have a lawyer in attendance.
D Borg
Aug 31st 2010, 23:36
According to PBS this tme it was Dimech who decided not to have a lawyer present during investigation. after police offered? Why didn't he want his lawyer with him? Was it all a lie that the time before he was treated badly by police.
RESIGN NOW!
Stefan Kottmann-Soler
Sep 1st 2010, 01:44
D Borg, there is no such thing as lawyer assistance DURING the interrogation, but only the possibility of speaking to a lawyer ON THE PHONE and for only 30 MINUTES BEFORE the interrogation. Secondly, there is a reason why a suspect may refuse to make this phone call - it is because if you decide to consult with your lawyer, anything you don't say in the subsequent interrogation may corrobate your guilt and may not be used to prove your innocence.
R Cassar
Sep 1st 2010, 07:40
And perhaps you should learn how to read and take your time before making your clever judgements...
He did not want a lawyer because he had already consulted a lawyer...because the so called "interrogation" was about the exact same thing of the 11 Aug...so he had no more to add...What do you think?
Joe Cordina
Sep 1st 2010, 07:59
A suspect can choose to speak to a lawyer before interrogation. Hoever if he does this then it would be very akward for him/her to refuse to answer questions or tell a lie hmmmmmmmmmm
Peter Korsten
Sep 1st 2010, 08:28
From what I understand, as soon as you request legal aid, you cannot add to your testimony things that you didn't tell the police (either because you forgot, or on purpose) before you contacted a lawyer. This is a relatively new law.
In other words, it's in your best interests not to have a lawyer present if the police interview you, at least for the first time.
Dennis Zammit
Aug 31st 2010, 23:19
Are all the bloggers trying to make us believe that a professional accountant and auditor by profession as Nikki Dimech does not know what his allegations about improper interrogation mean? He himself admitted asking for a 20% bribe from Govt funds and now you want to make us believe that he was a martyr?
Are all of you forgetting that this is not the first investigation into Nikki Dimech's work in the Sliema Council? The first one was the direct order for the fairy lights which is still under investigation by the Local Govt. Dept. where Nikki Dimech allegedly did not know the laws (PS he is an Auditor with a warrant and therefore fully knowledgeable of the financial laws), then this one of the bribe and then the waste collection subject.
When will the allegations of the wrong doings finish? How much more must we hear of? These are Govt. public funds coming from our taxes that Nikki Dimech has played with.
When nothing happens we grumble that the Govt. and Police allow the corruption and now that they arraigned a mayor, we complain. The Magistrate even confirmed the correctness of the arrest.
R Cassar
Sep 1st 2010, 07:37
Dear Mr Zammit,
Aren't you being a little one-sided in your comments??
1) For one I don't understand since why Nikki, because of his profession as an auditor, should know what allegations about proper interrogation mean...a criminal would know that, not an honest person who has never harmed anyone;
2)Correction: he never said commission on Govt funds....the accuse is not regarding a tender and not a contract but an ex-contracts manager who was sacked because he cause havoc in the council...by the way, sacked by the whole lot, not Nikki;
3)Correction: The DLG is investigating the council not Nikki for the fairylights contract because the council takes collective decisions...for your info, other councillors have been called in for interrogation too...but it was not that interesting for the press as it would deflate Nikki's "story";
4)Nikki has not been found guilty of anything as yet...therefore perhaps you should moderate your terms...
Perhaps if you read different articles insead of quoting the same ones you would be a little more clever in your hasty judgement.
J. Tonna
Aug 31st 2010, 22:18
Is it possible that all the bloggers writing here, are believing what Nikki Dimech said and no one is believing the police side of the story??....u halluna tridu....As a professional, Mr Dimech knows what to do and not to do, and I am sure he would not have signed if he was not guilty. Is it possible that if found guilty Mr Dimech will lose his warrant and his job??...If this is the case I understand why Mr Dimech is making up all this soap opera.
David Caruana
Aug 31st 2010, 23:48
Who needs a court hearing when we've got Mr.J.Tonna?!
So you are pointing fingers towards those who believe Nikki, but you, for some special reason, know exactly what happened, and that is that Nikki is guilty?!
If you know something that we don't know, you should maybe contact Inspector Gafa to help him in his investigations
Claire Busuttil
Aug 31st 2010, 23:56
ghamel x ghamel, nahseb gie attakat bizzejjed!
R. Azzopardi
Sep 1st 2010, 08:21
I have no faith in Nikki Dimech and haven't had faith in him for a long time however I have even less faith in the police force. If I didn't believe a word Mr. Dimech said about the case, I certainly believe what he said about his treatment when in custody.
J.Zammit
Aug 31st 2010, 22:10
I wonder why the police never interrogate big heads when there are thousands of euros Is it only the small fish that get caught in this country?
Francesca Borg
Aug 31st 2010, 21:52
Why on earth is he still Mayor of Sliema?!
Nikki should have resigned from Mayor at the instant. The locality should always win over any of the councillor's personal interests/circumstances. He has the right to defend himself. However he also has the duty not to let his personal situation hinder the work of the Council he forms part of.
c.cefai
Aug 31st 2010, 21:24
Why are the Police in such a hurry; couldn't not have waited and let things happen as they go along?
Frans Attard
Aug 31st 2010, 21:24
Wara 23 sena, dak li kien iwieghed Fenech Adami kwazi f'kull 'meeting' li kien jaghmel qabel l-elezzjoni ta' l-1987, igiefieri li gvern nazzjonalista jiehu passi kontra min hu hati ta' korruzzjoni, fl-ahhar se jitwettaq.
Qatt m'hu tard wisq.
In-nazzjonalisti kelmthom izommuha.
G.Schembri
Aug 31st 2010, 23:43
Get real, why didn't the police investigate the power station contract? The law was changed midway, and millions of euros were involved in that case, then the law caourts are opened at 8.00 pm because of an alledged invitation of corruption, which would have amounted to much less. And you have the nerve to say we are fighting corruption, go tell it to the marines.
mbrincat
Sep 1st 2010, 00:13
Il-partit nazzjonalista mhux jaghmel hlief jisvijja lill- publiku mill-kaz ta' kurruzzjoni tal-BSvW
Frans Attard
Sep 1st 2010, 08:28
Irraguna G.Schembri, biex in-nazzjonalisti waslu biex jibdew iressqu nies il-qorti fuq korruzzjoni u jibdew minn nies taghhom stess, dawn huma veru 'Qaddisin Jimxu Fl-Art'.
P.Barbara
Sep 1st 2010, 11:01
Tara l-ahbarijiet kullhadd jitkellem fuq Nikki Dimech miskien ara veru qed jaghmlu fass fuqu biex il-poplu jghid oooooohhhh kemm ghandna partit fil-gvern li hu nadif. Jahasra talli tkellem kontra ufficjal fil-pn qed jaghmlulu kollox bil-kbir lill Nikki biex zgur jalqullu halqu u joruh li huma akbar minnhu. Nikki ghamel kuragg u dak li taf tkellem. Ghandek ragum mbrincat mieghek naqbel jien.
J. J. Borg
Aug 31st 2010, 21:14
Maybe Nikki Dimech did take a bribe but I really hope that this case is thrown out of court on account of the way the police have allegedly behaved toward Dimech. However guilty he may be, no one deserves to be interrogated for hours by the police without a lawyer present.
Gerard Cassar
Aug 31st 2010, 21:11
No hard evidence of corruption recall the auditor statement about his findings on the power station . Is there to be a two weights and two measures. The case of Dimeh smells of political interference and the autorities should know better particularly the magistrate can bring such events to the fore and criticise for being called in the night as if a grave criminal act was committed and there is dangers that evidence would be tainted.
But we are not in a police state. According to the P.N. similar things happened in the 80sUnfortunately are happening in 2010 under the P.N.
Joseph E Briffa
Aug 31st 2010, 21:03
@Dennis Agius...do you think that when you are interrogated by the Police after being kept in an underground cell for three hours you are in command of the situation? Do you think that a person who has never experienced such situations is responsible for what he/she says or admits or signs especially if he doesn't have access to his medication? It takes a hardened criminal to keep his sanity in these circumstances Do you think that the Police all over the world don't have a very good reason why they are against having a lawyer present during an interrogation?
M Xuereb
Aug 31st 2010, 21:01
In most Countries in the free World,during questioning by the Police, the accused is allowed to have his solicitor present,why not in Malta?. This is not only a human right,but serves to show that everyone is treated fairly.
d. borg
Aug 31st 2010, 21:01
Aren't the courts usually closed in the evening unless it is something urgent or very grave? I don't see this case falling under any of these. So what's behind all this urgency?
Robert Callus
Aug 31st 2010, 20:58
Unless signing confessions are done in the presence of a lawyer and videotaped the truth may not come out, or come out too late. Possibly this man is guilty. However it is also possible he is innocent. And if he is this is a tragedy. Not just a personal one but one that undermines the basic foundations of a democracy.
Taking the necessary checks and balances for suspects will only protect the honest side, whichever it is.
S. Farrugia
Aug 31st 2010, 20:54
Perfect timing......
J. Schembri
Aug 31st 2010, 20:54
Interdiction ? ...... just a strategy by GonziPiNocchio to regain the majority in the locality.
Joseph E Briffa
Aug 31st 2010, 20:53
Uncle Gorgio and Nannu Pawl must be turning in their graves........
Paul Barrett
Aug 31st 2010, 20:42
If Mr Dimech was accompanied by his solicitor throughout questioning and the sessions either video or at least tape recorded (two originals recorded at the same time and one copy given immediately to the accused or his/her solicitor or both copies sealed and both signed by the Police and the accused), this would thoroughly cover the Police from any accusations of mistreatment during questioning. Failing that sensible procedure, there will always be room for allegations of this type.
Duncan Scerri
Aug 31st 2010, 20:52
Well, according to Dimech, he was not permitted legal representation to be present during questioning. That being said, this is the way things work here. Rights? Get real.
C Muscat
Aug 31st 2010, 20:33
It is a shame to have such timing for any such accusation. Is it possible that no one knows that there is a no confidence vote. Any citizen is going to ask why the police could not wait for the arraignment to be after the vote. Shame. Are we a police state?
V.Micallef
Aug 31st 2010, 20:37
The answer to that is "YES".
Dennis Agius
Aug 31st 2010, 20:46
To C Muscat: Do you mean if the no confidence in the council is in favour of Mr Dimech, the Police should drop Charges? He is still innocent until proved guilty in court! Mr Dimech admitted to "false accusations" and told the Police "what they wanted to hear"! was he held at gun point? he had the right to remain silent, contacting a lawyer, and an intelligent person like Mr Dimech should know better.
martin saliba
Aug 31st 2010, 20:50
How can someone be found guilty on the word of someone else especially in this case where there seems to be a political motive of some sort ? Is there a paper trail , recording , anything to prove his guilt ? I do not know this person but if there is no hard evidence against him i would rather see a guilty man go free than an inocent man convicted. Remember that ther are others that got away because of no hard evidence and millions of euros are involved.
Gianni Xuereb
Aug 31st 2010, 20:53
Yes, yes yes.
Remember Harry Vassallo's charges just before the election ?
Gianni8nu Saliba
Aug 31st 2010, 20:57
What a question by C. Muscat and an answer by V. Micallef. The correct answer is: "Yes we were living in a police state under Mintoff and iz-zero. Fenech Adami made sure that those days are over". For your information, my friends, Gonzi is making sure that those days will never come again... and he is succeeding. First he managed to get rid of the name Malta Labour Party, now he is making sure that their emblem disappears from the face of the earth and in just under three years from now he will make sure that offspring of the MLP dies a natural death. The PL's grave is being dug now. Unemployment is the second lowest in the EU. The number of of persons in employment is at its peak. Tourism is going to reach new heights this year. The GDP is growing, the gap between Government income and expenditure is shrinking. Foreign investment is still reaching our shores. Yes, the PL's grave is almost dug.
David Caruana
Aug 31st 2010, 22:08
@ Dennis Agius
Yes Mr.Agius, he was practically held at gunpoint if the allegations are true. He suffers from asthma and was allegedly not given his inhaler, putting his life in danger as a gun to his head would have.
Yes he had the right to remain silent, but how would you act during an asthma and panic attack?
He did contact a lawyer, who happened to be abroad. He was allegedly NOT allowed to phone another lawyer.
Are you following the whole story or do you just repeat what NET TV says?
Joshua Borg
Aug 31st 2010, 22:15
How quickly Europe is moving towards a new totalitarianism!
C Muscat
Aug 31st 2010, 23:16
I am living now and whatever was the case 20 or 30 years ago does not justify using the police for political reasons. What we condemned before is also bad now. Whatever the outcome of the no confidence vote I do not care. I would like to add that I am against any corruption or mismanagement from whatever side and for any amount. I feel this case is being manipulated. I am also against any power being used abusively. I hope the law and order are used according to the justice statue ... not being sided ... and the same to all .. the same for the strong ... the same for the weak. If the police are being used by the politicians it is a big shame.
Christopher Scerri
Sep 1st 2010, 02:02
@Gianni8nu Saliba
Are you really living in Malta or what?? Wake up to reality!!
Caremn Said
Sep 1st 2010, 08:06
@ Gianninu Saliba
Ahjar ma qrajt xejn dak li ktibt int ghax tellghajtli l-corn flakes! Immissek tisthi!
M. Calleja
Sep 1st 2010, 12:42
@ Gianninu Salibu
Nahseb kont rieqed u hlomt holma sur Gianninu. Jien dik il-holma ili nohlomha mill-'87.
Sewwa tkellmet Carmen Said ta' qabli, u kellha ragun ittellgha l-corn flakes.
Ahjar zammejt halqek maghluq dal-ghodu siehbi, ghax kont taqta' figura ahjar.