Transport Malta bomb target gets Christmas threat
‘Aggressor had serious conflict with victim’
Three weeks after his office at Transport Malta was bombed, the head of land transport, Konrad Pulè received a Christmas card at home saying: “I will not forget you”, police sources confirmed.
A length of rope burnt at one end was enclosed with the card, possibly a reference to the fact that the bomb was dangled with a string outside Mr Pulè’s office window from a pine grove on a hill behind the building in Sa Maison.
Mr Pulè was only slightly injured by the bomb but a colleague, Major Peter Ripard, who happened to be in Mr Pulè’s office at the time, lost his leg.
The card, received on Wednesday, was examined by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Armed Forces of Malta. The Żebbuġ police are investigating. Mr Pulè lives in Żebbuġ.
Forensic psychologist Roberta Holland said the card strengthened the theory that Mr Pulè was the target of the serious crime, “if any (proof) were needed”, or, at the very least, he was one of the targets.
She said she could not comment about the specifics of the case but, in general, an incident like the bomb at Transport Malta showed the aggressor had a serious conflict with his victim, which he was likely to have spoken about with someone else.
The card’s message indicates this was a personal conflict rather than involving a group of people, which could possibly have nothing to do with the fact that Mr Pulè worked at Transport Malta.
“The bomber may have originally chosen to attack the victim in his office because it was more convenient or because attacking him anywhere else, like his home, could have been too difficult.”
Ms Holland said the card, but more so the bomb, showed the seriousness of the crime and the person who committed it, showing strong intent to kill.
According to her, the perpetrator could either have a history of violence or else had an “over-controlled” personality, keeping feelings and frustrations pent up inside.
She said the card did not necessarily narrow down the possibilities of who the perpetrator could be and all considerations must remain open.