Updated: Galea Curmi explains as Muscat demands his resignation
Adds PN statement -
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat this evening demanded the resignation of Edgar Galea Curmi, the head of the prime minister's private secretariat, after the Commissioner of Police revealed he had received a phone call from him about the arrest of Chris Engerer, Cyrus's father.
In a statement, Dr Muscat said such a phone call amounted to interference and it would undermine the credibility of the police if Mr Galea Curmi did not resign or was not dismissed by the prime minister.
Dr Muscat called for an inquiry into this matter and also into how charges against Cyrus Engerer were leaked to the press (See story at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110726/local/Deputy-mayor-facing-porn-computer-misuse-charges.377402 ).
Dr Muscat said the Opposition wanted to be represented on both inquiries.
Earlier, Mr Galea Curmi issued a statement to explain his phone call to Mr Rizzo after Cyrus Engerer's father was arrested and his property was searched for drugs.
In his statement, Mr Galea Curmi said:
"On Friday 22 July late morning I received a phone call from Cyrus Engerer. I took the phone call and promised Cyrus to phone him back as I was in a meeting.
"I phoned Cyrus back around 1.30 p.m. and, while speaking on the phone, I bumped into him outside the Xara Palace Hotel in Mdina.
"Cyrus told me that he was speaking to me as a friend because his father had been arrested. This was the first time I got to know about Chris Engerer's arrest. Cyrus told me that his father's lawyer, Dr. Carlo Bizazza, had told him that "he was to expect such incidents now that he had taken the plunge and resigned from PN.
"I told him that I was only hearing about this incident from him and
immediately phoned the Commissioner of Police, in front of Cyrus and in a way that he could hear every single detail of the phone call.
"The Commissioner of Police stated to me that report on Cyrus's father had been filed before Cyrus's resignation from PN. I explained to the Commissioner of Police what Cyrus had said that Dr. Bizazza had told him. The Commissioner of Police categorically denied any relationship
whatsoever between Cyrus's resignation from PN and the arrest of Cyrus's father. I asked the Commissioner of Police to meet Dr. Bizazza and explain to him the facts. I understand that the Commissioner of Police decided not to follow my request to meet Dr. Bizazza and I respect his decision.
"All the above can be testified by the Commissioner of Police and Cyrus himself.
"On a personal level, I am Cyrus's Confirmation Godfather and care a lot for Cyrus and his family. I am deeply upset by the way certain elements in the media are manipulating two unfortunate incidents of people I deeply care for with the sole aim of defaming the Prime Minister and the people around him. As a result of these malicious stories, I have instructed my lawyer to institute libel proceedings against MaltaToday.
CYRUS ENGERER IS 'A VICTIM'
In his press statement this evening Dr Muscat said he did not wish to comment on the allegations made against Cyrus Engerer as they were personal, not political, He did not know of the allegations against Cyrus Engerer before, but saw no need for action by the PL.
Dr Muscat said he preferred to speak about matters he was certain about. However he viewed Cyrus Engerer as a victim and a symbol of the many people who were victimised for not being Gonzi's Nationalists. Such people had to be defended.
Dr Muscat said he did not wish to speculate about how the police investigations coincided with Cyrus Engerer's decision to join the PL, but said Mr Galea Curmi's phone call to the police commissioner was unacceptable.
PN STATEMENT
The Nationalist Party said the press conference held by the Commissioner of Police earlier today showed there was no political interference in the police investigations into allegations made against Cyrus Engerer.
It noted that when Mr Engerer was interrogated, on June 23, he was still a member of the PN.
Mr Engerer urged the police to expedite their investigations on July 9, before his resignation from the PN.
He resigned from the party on July 15.
The PN said it had had no knowledge of the investigations and interrogation of Mr Engerer.
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MaryJo Camenzuli
Jul 27th 2011, 17:52
The truth is out:
17 June - Cyrus Engerer speaks at the PN General Council criticising Labour and Joseph Muscat,
23 June - the Police interrogate Cyrus Engerer on the report by his ex boyfriend alleging Cyrus Engerer sent via email photos of his ex boyfriend in sex acts with others after they broke up,
9 July - on Gay Pride Day, Cyrus Engerer insists with the police to proceed with his case so he can have his day in court,
15 July - the media await Cyrus Engerer outside PN HQ where, wearing a red T-shirt, he submits his resignation purportedly because of 'divorce' - the media lap it up,
16 July - Cyrus Engerer announces he has met Joseph Muscat and is now a Labour candidate but it now transpires he did not tell Muscat about the case of the police report by his ex boyfriend,
Cyrus Engerer resigned from the PN THREE WEEKS AFTER he was questioned by the police and A WEEK AFTER he himself insisted with the police to proceed with his case.
You need be no rocket scientist to realize that Cyrus Engerer resigned from the PN because of his police case and he now has Joseph Muscat as his defense lawyer, judge and jury prosecuting Cyrus's godfather for trying to help Cyrus and his father!
.
Joseph Borg
Jul 27th 2011, 11:12
Kif sirna...xi dwejjaq ghandkhom certu nies.....attenti li kull meta jiftah halqu Joseph Muscat tibbumbardjaw it-times tghidulu li tifel zghir, injurant, ghadu lura, bhal ohrajn , ma tinbidilx u miljun statement iehor ...u alla jbierek kollha kontu tahsbu li kein ahjar imma issa arralkhom.....anqas qed tibzaw li titilfu il poter ukoll...tipprovaw tibrainwashjaw lin nies u tbezzawhom bil babaw bhal ma ghamlu xi erbgha minkhom waqt ir-referendum tad Divorzju.
Tahsbu li kulhadd baqa iblah jew?
Joseph Grech Attard
Jul 27th 2011, 10:02
Let those who have eyes see; and those who have ears stuff them. Facts speak better than words!
Ms pat muscat
Jul 27th 2011, 09:57
The price for Political Interference into Police activities and duties , is lack of trust, and an increase in fear.
Mr Angus Black
Jul 27th 2011, 13:35
Typical Labour M.O. - FEAR.
Polly Bonello
Jul 28th 2011, 15:35
When the Chief of Police in London was embroiled in a local political scandal, you know what: he resigned. That.s the way normal democracies function.
J. Scicluna
Jul 27th 2011, 09:53
It is mind-boggling how LOW can some people go to justify the unjustifiable!
BY COINCIDENCE, Mr Engerer’s charges appear now after 2years!
BY COINCIDENCE, Mr Galea Curmi is his “Godfather”.
BY COINCIDENCE, Mr Galea Curmi “bumped” into Mr Engere in Mdina while phoning him.
BY COINCIDENCE, the PM states that his Government does not exert any pressures or interference with the Police.
BY COINCIDENCE, the Police Commissioner confirms Mr Galea Curmi’s call.
BY COINCIDENCE, Mr Galea Curmi also confirms this phone call.
And guess WHO is getting the stick on this blog…?
Yessir! It’s Dr. Joseph Muscat!
Oh get a life and face reality…the “sell-by date” of this Government is looooong overdue and there is only one honourable thing left to do is to call an early election…..oops! I regret the error because there is no “honour” whatsoever it seems!
Mr Joe Borg
Jul 27th 2011, 10:58
I think you need a better understanding of the word Coincidence. The only coincidence I can see is that Mr Galea Curmi bumped into Mr Engerer while phoning him, and there's nothing strange in that, it happens. So don't try to make it look like some kind of conspiracy. Joseph Muscat put himself into this situation.
MaryJo Camenzuli
Jul 27th 2011, 17:03
J Scicluna,
Why do you omit what Mr Galea Curmi told the Police Commissioner?
You make it sound as if the call was pressure to get the Police Commissioner to charge Chris Engerer.
It was precisely the contrary. Mr Galea Curmi, in front of Cyrus Engerer himself, asked the Police Commissioner to explain to Chris Engerer's lawyer why Chris Engerer's case is not related to his son's defection to Labour.
Please be truthful and fair.
.
Mark Galea
Jul 27th 2011, 09:44
Il-qattusa ghaggelija, frieh ghomja ikollha, Joe.
In the recent past, I thought you a better politician - now I am starting to realise that the method shown in the recent past was not yours (more in the line of corinthia style) ...
You may win next election (by default), but be careful about creating a new Arriva - a lot of hype and promising a more "efficient" use of resources and then see the result ... hope we do not have an Arriva-PL government.
Mr A Spiteri
Jul 27th 2011, 09:42
What is certain from this whole story, and I say this with great satisfaction, is that the political career of the ‘bright’ Cyrus Engerer, is over before even got started!
I have nothing personal against this fellow, or I find no problem that he’s gay, as someone might accuse me of homophobia, but political ambitious politicians are the least kind of politicians the country actually needs!
We need politicians who understand the roots of the problems and put forward radical ideas to solve them!
Mr David Smith
Jul 27th 2011, 09:23
Let's condense the case: a maltese citizen claims with the PM's Personal Assistant that he is suffering police harassment because of his political switch of allegiance. The PM's PA, who at the time was unaware that the Police were investigating the maltese citizen, seeks to obtain information about such a claim. He goes directly to the Police Commissioner and asks him about the case. Anything wrong in that?
Nothing more than a tsunami in a thimble! Nothing less than political opportunism by the Leader of the Opposition.
Joseph Farrugia
Jul 27th 2011, 09:06
Mill- liema tieqa se tohrog Jo Jo. Eh kemm ghadek zghir!!!!!!!!!
Andrew Azzopardi
Jul 27th 2011, 09:01
The PN has tragically lost its soul. EGC's actions described in this article is a typical example of this. He has been the PM's right hand for many years now. Politics used to be a means of serving the country. It has now become a means of serving self-interests and party-interests. I wonder if they will issue a warrant for my arrest now that I criticised the 'circle of trust'? Or maybe I should warn my father of this?! :) ... How can we trust these muppets?? It is very disappointing and alienating.
Mr Henry Mifsud
Jul 27th 2011, 08:37
Again our PM is hiding behind his own party. As PM he should be the one to take the bull by the horns and not the PN. One needs not to be highly intelligent to understand that the PM is in a fix once again. Mr Galea Curmi is a very high ranking official at the OPM (PM's right hand man) and directly answerable to the PM. Gonzi's silence is proving to be unconvincing. As clearly reported by the Times, JM, as Opposition leader (and not as PL leader) is asking for EGC's resignation. Maybe some would think that this is just a technicality but it is so evident that the Nationalists have been in power for so long that they are clearly not making a distinction between Government and party. Who is running the country? a Nationalist Government or the Nationalist Party?
Quo Vadis?
Mr Joe Borg
Jul 27th 2011, 10:06
Allahares il-Prim Ministru ta Malta joqghod jiqaf min xogholu biex jintervjeni f'kull cucata li tinqala f' dan il-pajjizz. Mela mhux cucata ukol li prim ministru ikollu joqghod jinqala biex dak ic-cuc ta l-istrajk tal-guh ma jaghmilx suwicidju. Il-puluzzija hemm qeghdin, jahmmlu xogholhom, u jien nafdhom.
Jonathan Scerri
Jul 27th 2011, 08:11
Is it me, or is it strange that the Prime Minister's private secretary keeps the Commissioner's phone number at hand, just in case he need to call? I'm sure (sic) he never intends to interfere.
Jason Falzon
Jul 27th 2011, 08:53
I am not one to defend a politician as they disgust me, one and all of them. However to me, it makes perfect sense that the Pm's private sec has the police commisioner's number in case of some national emergency/important issue.
What I would argue is the fact that the private secretary used this facility for what amounts to a personal matter, as admitted by himself when he said : -
"On a personal level, I am Cyrus's Confirmation Godfather and care a lot for Cyrus and his family. I am deeply upset by the way certain elements in the media are manipulating two unfortunate incidents of people I deeply care for with the sole aim of defaming the Prime Minister and the people around him. As a result of these malicious stories, I have instructed my lawyer to institute libel proceedings against MaltaToday."
However he can also argue back that he's sort of trying to defend his boss, the prime minister.
All in all, at the end this is as per usual in Malta as a huge stinking filthy political kawlata.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jul 27th 2011, 08:03
This celebrated omelette by the PL does prove we are back to the 80's, that is, for socialists in Malta 1+1 is anything but 2! What is missing so far is the spin by Lino Spiteri.
Another story to haunt PL come next election.....and we still haven't seen the end of it!
Mr A. Mizzi
Jul 27th 2011, 07:52
Living George Orwell again In Malta 2011! Is this the Gonzipn Vision- keeping an eye on all as Big Brother to retain Power?
.
It's just not funny anymore Mr. Prime MInister!
.
It's just not a laughing matter keeping tabs on all and just indicating to the Police which cases to handle , on which cases to process, and just running the Police Force by Remote Control!
It's just not funny anymore!
Mr Kevin J Vella
Jul 27th 2011, 07:51
What irks me most about this issue is not these political machinations on both sides BUT that we the people are seeing through them and continue voting either PN or MLP. Wouldn't they be gob smacked if we had a third party elected in power?
L GRECH
Jul 27th 2011, 07:41
getting worse by the hour. Not for off from what used to happen in the 80's. The PN should know better, having been on the receiving side then. Guess the wheel has turned full circle, and we are on the virge of a police state. These things happen in Iran.
Whether we like it or not, we need a change of government and attitudes. Joseph Muscat is the only credible alternative, more so if he continues to gather more open minded and liberal persons around him like he is doing.
Count me in , Joseph.
Mr Vincent Cassar
Jul 27th 2011, 07:37
To all the PN Catholic bloggers down here: The point remains that no Commissioner of Police should accept any calls from anyone during an investigation. The Commissioner should have refused to speak to nobody about a case being investigated. But it seems that some people in the Banana Republic of pseudo-Independent Malta have more power than others....it's like an 80s re-enactment. In my opinion, it is someone like GC who has created a precedent Mr Attard. If you have a case and you know GC he may well give the Commissioner a call...but not me. Unbelievable!
Mr Mario Busuttil
Jul 27th 2011, 07:31
Qatt ma kont nobsor li zewg partiti ser jidhlu f'konfronti fuq kaz personali li bhalissa ghaddejja il Gudikatura fuq dan il kaz,u fl istess waqt involvejtu lil Kap tal korp tal pulizija ....For the 2 Political Parties shame on you!!!! b'hekk tridu terbhu il voti ,,,ser tmexxuh pajjiz tajjeb b'dawn il-battibekki bejnietkom,ahjar tibdew taghmlu xi haga ta gid flok toqghodu tinfexxu f' kazi bhal dawn....il poplu ingenerali ma jinteressajhx minn dawn l afffarijiet li tippruvaw twaddbu tajn lil xulxin ,,,il poplu jinteressah li minn ser ikun fil Gvern darbohra ikun dejjem ghal ahjar.......Viva L Altternattiva Demokratika
Mr Hans Borg
Jul 27th 2011, 06:51
It seems that the Prime Minister doesn't know what his right hand is doing.
He rushed to declare that he does not interfere in police investigations. His closest aide thinks and acts otherwise.
Noel Mifsud
Jul 27th 2011, 06:50
Kif tistaw temmnu kollox huti GonziPN. Kolloz kjumbinazzjoni , anke kien we icempillu i habat mieghu l Mdina. Alla jbierek kif jghifu at the same time and the same place. Kollox bzzilla Maltija. Kollox ezatt goe madoff. Dal pajjiz fuq ir rubini kollox. Ilu zmien ipejjep il Marjuana u issa all;a jbierek marru ifitxulu. L iehor wara sentejn ftit qabel irrizenja b mod anonimu imma ma ghandux x jaqsam mal politika kixfu. Nibki nara dawn l affarijiet. Ara jine kumbinazzjoni, qatt ma hadt is super5, u kumbinazzjoni meta wehilt xi citazzjoni tal parking dejjem hallasta. Imma f dal pajjiz dawn kumbinazzjonijiet.
Mr C Briffa
Jul 27th 2011, 06:37
At this point if the pl accepted Cyrus Engerer it is Muscat who has to resign. O being liberal one accepts everyone even if there was a Police investigation. Imagine if it was the other way round and a person related to a pn representative was found in possetion of illegal drugs what would the pl say. Might be this was the misile mentioned in the Torca but I think it exploded over the pl HQ. These ar the autogoals the pl is famous for. We should be proud with the Police work and not try to put suspect on them.
Joseph Farrugia
Jul 27th 2011, 08:36
Agree 100%
Gordon Swain
Jul 27th 2011, 10:58
Ma nistax nemmen kemm baqa nies b'mohhom maghluq.
Sry Mr.Briffa imma forsi ma qbadtx l-istorja mil-bidu, Cyrus Engerer li bir-rispett kollu lejn kulhadd ma ghamilx affarijiet straordinarji imma li l-partit nazzjonalista xorta ried ihammgu. L-affarijiet li qabduh fuqhom issa, kien ghamilhom meta kien ghadu taht il-protezzjoni tal-PN, imma m'hemmx hafna xtaghmel
Kif jghid is saying ' Min mhux maghna, kontra taghna'
Nispera li ghintek tara s-sitwazzjoni bi stampa iktar cara
Joseph Scicluna
Jul 27th 2011, 05:41
MuscatGallarija, the less you open your mouth the better for the LP.
C Muscat
Jul 27th 2011, 04:31
Alla hares ikollna Prim Ministru daqshekk immatur. Hemm tant li l-pajjiz irid jerfa' u jizloq wahda bhal din!!!! Disgrazzjatament wara iktar minn ghoxrin sena ma hux ser ikollna fejn naghzlu jekk ma iridux infattru.
Mr Joe Borg
Jul 27th 2011, 01:49
A week ago when I sad that Mr Engerer won't be of any benefit to the LP because a person who changes all his values because of one issue is of no value for any party, Some people, probably PL short sighted fanatics replied in Maltese saying "Minn irrid jixtri imaqdar". What do you think now? A week after. Do you think Mr Engerer was worth it?
As I said a week ago: PL needs to recruit some real politicians not kids playing politicians, if they want to gain people's trust.
Chris Mercieca
Jul 27th 2011, 01:20
Ghaffeg gus !!!
Mr Anthony Briffa
Jul 27th 2011, 00:09
Dear Dr. JM, as the Maltese saying goes, 'min jikrija joqod ghalija'. You are still far away to even just pretend to be PM in two years time. The PL has not paid the high price yet for electing JM as leader and discarding George Abela. The worst has still to come out as we get close to election time. JM has rushed in where angels fear to tread. He will regret the day when he allowed himself to be part of this charade.
Joseph Caruana
Jul 27th 2011, 00:04
I guess every minister, government worker (tries to) do such calls, especially in the old labour days. This thing should. But wait - even Joe needs votes - so much matter are never on his agenda. And how can Joe judge someone before knowing all the facts? What else stupid is Joe going to say? First he sits Galleria and then speak as if he's the chosen one.
!
Mr m mifsud
Jul 26th 2011, 23:27
sue joseph muscat taf li l qrati ta malta huma 'open courts' cioe cikku l poplu jista jkun prezent ghal kawzi? taf li l meta jitressaq xi hadd l qorti l media jkollha acess ghal akkuzi bil konsegwenza li spiss l media tiraporta dwar nies li tressqu l qorti? nahseb dan solva l misteru u m hemx ghalfejntinfetah inkjesta dwar kif l media sare ttaf bil kaz
Ms maria aquilina
Jul 26th 2011, 23:24
Dr.Muscat should tell Mr.Engerer that until the investigations are over and he comes out clean,he annot be accepted into his party.This forvery obvious reasons. In this way Dr.Muscar shows one and all that his party is not a scrapyard.
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Jul 26th 2011, 23:24
How insignificant Man is in his daily chores
What importance is attached to things that matter not
Oh that empty head and brainless brain
That is possessed by those whose
pretensions for high office
are almightier than the heavens:
What idiots run our lives
What idiots feign to determine for us
Trust and Believe NO ONE
As it is all a hotch potch of lies
That once will out
will equally vapour into nothingness
As too much at stake
For the one and the other
That at the end
The word MUM
will all obscure.
=============================================Cosmic Divinity: 26th July,2011:Cosmos.
P Buħaġiar
Jul 26th 2011, 23:24
THE RUNNING MAN
This film was predicting the future?
Watch this film again, and gives you a lot of answers for todays stories worldwide.
The year is 2017. The world economy has collapsed. The United States has sealed off it's borders and has become a military controlled police state which controls TV, movies, art, books, communication and censorship. In the police state America has become, criminals have a choice. They can serve their sentences in prison or they can take part in "The Running Man" a government owned violent game-show where contestants running for freedom are pursued by "Stalkers" wrestler-like bounty hunters. "The Running Man" is the top rating show on network TV and Damon Killian, the creator and host is the most popular entertainer in the US. But one man has yet to play... Former L.A. police officer Ben Richards, framed for the massacre of innocent people, when disobeyed orders is recaptured, after escaping from prison. Ben is forced to appear on "The Running Man", joined by resistance fighters William
john muscat
Jul 26th 2011, 23:20
I wish to ask a very simple question to the commissioner of police---- If anyone can telephone him on any case, will he be ready to reply as in this case? Or this is a police state, where only the party in office have the privilege?
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jul 26th 2011, 23:17
Malta needs a truly independent commission to investigate the police force. And a human rights charter.
Lawrence Attard
Jul 26th 2011, 22:20
When it comes to our choice for who runs the country next election, we really have a problem, our decision will have to be which is the less terrible choice between the two parties. One unbelievable situation after the other. Now our possible future prime minister Dr Muscat is casually dismissing these charges of one of his new candidates. Dr Muscat, personal charges arent political only in the case of a lay man. In a politician, who is offering to represent the people and work on their behalf, yes of course what he/she do in their private life is VERY accountable if it breaks the law.
With these words and actions Dr Muscat is effectively creating a precedent and giving the green light for any present and future politicians under his side to do what they want in their private lives, even if it means facing police charges, no problem with him. Is this the new dawn of old labour?
Ms Anna Callus
Jul 26th 2011, 23:02
You are assuming that he is guilty.
Mr Joseph Aquilina
Jul 26th 2011, 23:17
The pity is that PL could have been an option if only they had George Abela (now doing a great job as President of Malta) or Lino Spiteri as party leader rather then this Joseph!! The problem with PL is that any good reason to vote them is no longer in PL. Even worse, PL has become a refugee camp for ex-PN who decide to drop out of the party for all the wrong reasons - as clear from the change of events in Cyrus case.
Francis Attard
Jul 27th 2011, 06:55
Ghamel bhali Sur Attard, tivvutax izjed. Il-fiducja fil-politikanti tliftha ghal kollox. Jekk tindaga u tuza naqra mohhok tinduna kemm verament il-politika hija Mahmuga. Bis-sahha ta' l-internet qieghed, aktar ma jghaddi z-zmien, niskopri x'dinja qieghdin nghixu fiha. Il-korruzzjoni fil-politika tinsab kulimkien, id-differenza fil-kwalita tiddependi biss f'kemm hu kbir il-pajjiz u x'rizorsi jippossedi.
Carmel Xuereb
Jul 27th 2011, 07:45
Mela l-Partit tieghek ghandu x'jara ghax hlief rwejjha jintnu ma hemmx go fih. U il-qasba ma ccaqcaqx ghal xejn jghid il-proverbju. Tghid ghala l-Kummissarju hass li ghandu jaghmel konfenrza stampa fuq dan il-kaz? Biex jagevola lil Korp jew biex iserrah lil Gvern? U l-vittma min ser ikun is-sur Galea Curmi? Imma dan miskin ihobbhom hafna li din il-familja u allura dak ser jaghem bhal ta' madwaru ser jibqa jsahhan dak is-siggu ghax il-kuxjenza qed tghidli li ma ghamel xejn hazin. Jahasra intom in-Nazzjonalisti tahsbu li l-Laburisti ghadhom bhanan u ma jafux jghoddu 1 + 1? Halluna tridux u la intom tant konvinti li Gonzi+ huwa l-ahjar mexxej ghal pajjiz ghax ma tghajtux elezzjoni??? Ghax tafu x-rizultat ikun hemm hux hekk...... TKAXKIRA KBIRA li qatt ma kien hawn bhala.
Polly Bonello
Jul 26th 2011, 22:04
And all this because Cyrus switched sides! Politics and the Police should never be chumy chumy unless the State security is at risk. In this case Gonzi's credibility is (again) at risk!
Mr Joseph Aquilina
Jul 26th 2011, 23:13
Read all the articles, Cyrus was instigated when still a PN candidate .... after "Cyrus Engerer asked for his case to be concluded quickly" he switched sides .... now doesn't that smell *fishy* to you?
- http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110726/local/police-commissioner-insists-police-actions-not-politically-motivated.377453
He used PL and Joseph as you know what .... don't allow him to do the same with you!! Only a court can decide if he is guilty, not Joseph Muscat and neither SuperOne, ONLY OUR INDEPENDENT COURTS (recognised as so also by PL)
Peter Bonnici
Jul 26th 2011, 23:43
@ Polly Bonello. You really cannot make heads or tails of this story, can you?
Mr William Pierce
Jul 26th 2011, 21:54
"I phoned Cyrus back around 1.30 p.m. and, while speaking on the phone, I bumped into him outside the Xara Palace Hotel in Mdina".
Incredible.
Mr Stephen Borg
Jul 26th 2011, 22:52
Hollywoodian
Mr marco caruana
Jul 27th 2011, 07:54
Mdina is full of CCTV'S....soooooo !!
Ms D Galea
Jul 26th 2011, 21:53
Tal-Biki hu kif il ONE news illejla ipprova idawwar l istorja. Bhal dak li qallu li in-nies jisimghu biss diska wahda daz-zmien.
Min qed juza lil min f din listorja , il-PL lil Mr.CE jew Mr.CE lil-PL?
Kif zviluppaw l affarijiet, Mr CE ghamel grandissimu pjacir lil PN bit-timing tar=rizenja tieghu u mar aghmel messa in sciena ma Dr.JM.
Mr Joseph Aquilina
Jul 26th 2011, 23:21
I think Cyrus managed to get what he wanted, first asking the police for his case to be concluded quickly, then go with PL, and finally just wait until the news comes out so that he can play the tragic hero. I think he felt that with Joseph Muscat as PL leader his plan would be bullet proof since Joseph Muscat is too proud to realise and admit he as been tricked and indeed the article shows just that!! Saying Cyrus is a victim when he was investigated much earlier shows how far Joseph Muscat is ready to go in order to hide his mistake. The problem is that many PL supporters will never realise this because all they watch is Super One!!
Emmanuel Caruana
Jul 26th 2011, 21:51
Buzzieqa ohra Dr.Muscat
Mr Joe Micallef
Jul 26th 2011, 21:43
Muscat you'd better learn to count to 10 before you speak!
Alfred Bugeja
Jul 26th 2011, 21:42
By the looks of it, the LP have swallowed Mr. Engerer's plot hook, line and sinker and are in a complete state of panic. They are in the unenviable position of having to defend him whether they like it or not because they are lumped with him.
Thus you get confusing statements like not trusting the chairman of a Board of Inquiry (a reputable retired judge, by the way) and wanting to be on the board of inquiry nonethless. Go figure!
I think in Maltese, the most accurate term to describe their situation is "Belghuh!"
Tonio Farrugia
Jul 26th 2011, 21:36
unfortunately we have the PL which is an old party with a new face and a new logo, but same behaviour...
on the other hand we have an old government with old methods.....
boq?!... when's the first flight out?!?!?! lol
W. Azzopardi
Jul 26th 2011, 21:31
Dr, Muscat. billi kontinwament tara ma xiex taqbad , ma int qed tikkonvinci lil hadd li ghandek il-kapacita biex tmexxi l-Malta.
A Dimech
Jul 26th 2011, 21:17
This is not once that it happened now - but twice. Remember -when Nikki Dimech resigned from PN, they quickly started allegations against him?!
The question is this; Why did investigations were not made public before? why after they switch sides? is it a conscious or not a conscious decision?
then what type of allegations are these? Pornography?! come on guys.... I know a lot of teenage boys who experiment with Pornography... this is their way of growing up. SHould the police investigate this?!!!
Mr Joseph Aquilina
Jul 26th 2011, 23:26
"The question is this; Why did investigations were not made public before? why after they switch sides? is it a conscious or not a conscious decision?"
Read:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110726/local/police-commissioner-insists-police-actions-not-politically-motivated.377453
[On July 9, Mr Engerer himself asked for investigations to be concluded as quickly as possible. The police inspector was also told by Mr Engerer's lawyers to take the case to court as soon as possible. This means that Mr Engerer was investigated when still a PN candidate and even worse might indicate that the jump to PL might have been planned]
"then what type of allegations are these? Pornography?!"
He is being accused of circulating pornography which is different. The law is the law and should be respected regardless if you are a PN candidate, a PL candidate, or as in this case a PN - gonna be - PL candidate!!
Mr Saliba Francis
Jul 27th 2011, 08:34
"Why did investigations were not made public before? " (A Dimech)
Elementary Dr Watson! The police would be stupid to publicise their investigations while they are still in progress. This premature leakage would alert suspects under investigation thus obstructing any further progress. The police are there to prevent crime and to bring suspects to justice not to feed information for abuse by "dirty tricks" political propaganda machines.
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Jul 26th 2011, 21:06
Dejjem l-istess. Hafna ghagla ta' Joseph Muscat li ma twaslu imkien. Alla hares ghad ikolna PM li jiehu decizzjonijiet b'din l-ghagla. Veru ghadek zghir u ghad timmatura aktar imma baqalek hafna x'titghallem Joseph Muscat.
jesmond zammit
Jul 26th 2011, 20:29
se nkomplu ndahhqu n nies mid dhera , x ghamel dan ? ghamel dak li l ipokriti kolla jaghmlu imma ma jghiduhx.
Mr Joseph Aquilina
Jul 26th 2011, 20:24
"Dr Muscat said he preferred to speak about matters he was certain about. However he viewed Cyrus Engerer as a victim and a symbol of the many people who were victimised for not being Gonzi's Nationalists. Such people had to be defended."
He lost all control... he does not even know what he just said in the previous sentence!! First he says he "preferred to speak about matters he was certain about" which means, he is not certain, but then he speaks and says Engerer as a victim!!! ... either you are certain or you are not!!
Guess he did not have time to read the previous article which says that Engerer KNEW HE WAS BEING INVESTIGSTED WHEN STILL PART OF PN!!!
Kleaven Maniscalco
Jul 26th 2011, 20:23
Tajba joey....ergajt ghaffigtha
Mr Joseph Aquilina
Jul 26th 2011, 20:21
i can't understand for what reason Joseph Muscat enjoys playing the clown!! There are two cases. In the first case the father of Cyrus was caught red handed. In the second case Cyrus knew he was being investigated!!! And what does Joseph Muscat do .... come out with stupid comments like this one!!!
I guess dear Joseph is angry because he now (and its a big maybe) understand that him and his party have been played!!
Dominic Fisher
Jul 27th 2011, 12:38
I'm new here, but it seems to me that Mr Muscat thinks that attack is the best form of defence. An unwise intervention on his part.
Claire Busuttil
Jul 26th 2011, 20:17
OMG.....xi hmieg ta politika!!
Mr Peter Agius
Jul 26th 2011, 20:09
Cyrus Engerer was interrogated by the police on the 23rd June 2011, when he was still a PN Council member on the Sliema council. When he saw what was coming he switched alliances, from PN to LP and Joseph Muscat accepted him probably without knowing that he was being investigated by the police. If he did not know he was fooled by Cyrus Engerer. If he knew.......well that"s another story.
Whatever, it seems that Joseph Muscat and the LP are becoming a sort of Refugium Pecatoribus....!
Giov DeMartino
Jul 26th 2011, 20:03
Ghalhekk telaq mela.
Mr leo attard
Jul 26th 2011, 20:43
the prophet haas spoken as usual! Amen!
M Schembri
Jul 26th 2011, 21:00
Telaq ghax dejquh nies bhalek
Mr M Farrugia
Jul 26th 2011, 23:21
telaq ghax jaf li postu fil PL hemmisibu komdu aktar f'kollox.
Michael Mercieca
Jul 26th 2011, 19:53
Is there anybody left who shouldnt resign lol. . . . thats all you hear from labour. . . . can we please tackle the serious issues.
Mario Grima
Jul 26th 2011, 20:40
Yes, I agree. We should tackle the sloppy bus service issue, the €500 weekly payrise to the PM and his cabinet and keeping everything under wraps, the BWSC shady contract, the endless waiting list at Mater Dei, Tonio Fenech's political errors, unemployment, cost of living, fuel increases etc... etc..
Mr Joseph Aquilina
Jul 26th 2011, 23:31
@Mario Grima
Those you mention are all true!! PN have done several mistakes in these last few years. But can you honestly look at Joseph Muscat and believe he is ready to lead this country!? Here we have another clear example where PL - to win votes - welcomed someone in only to later find out he has police charges pending on him. Even worse, Joseph does not even want to admit that and first says he does not want to comment and then he comments saying Cyrus is a victim - even though Cyrus 1) Knew about the police charges and 2) has himself asked the police to continue the investigation and 3) his father was caught red handed with drugs!! So what does Joseph Muscat want, then PL supports do not face criminal charges? If so let me know so I go and join them tomorrow!! These are not the actions of a good leader, but of one that is too afraid of admitting a mistake!! AND THIS WAS A MISTAKE!!
Tonio Farrugia
Jul 26th 2011, 19:53
The issue is that this continuous quest of PL (in the specific Joseph Muscat) of extrapolating a political advantage from any and every local event will lead to a loss of credibility and loss of interest.
this has been the case with the labour party for the past decades ... not only with JM.
we never learn insomma....
Mr B Grech
Jul 27th 2011, 06:59
They re the opposition its in their job description to take each and every political advantage they get. I remember PNs behaviour between 96 and 98 ? Enough said.
Mr Saliba Francis
Jul 26th 2011, 19:52
A most pertinent enquiry.
Was Cyrus charged as alleged because of his change of allegiance from PN to PL? Or was it the other way round, that is, Cyrus changed his allegiance because, in his opinion, the PN did not interfere enough with the freedom of the police to bring charges against all suspects, without fear or favour, and irrespective of the political affiliation of the suspect or his son?
Ms Lina CARUANA
Jul 26th 2011, 20:25
if this is the case a good reason for crediting politicians when wrong doing is investigated no matter which way the wind blows. is it getting complicated or are we deliberately complicating? A greater respect for the country is needed right now. We are truly hiding our heads in the sand by ignoring more important issues more meaningful to us.
Mr Joseph E Briffa
Jul 26th 2011, 20:33
I would go along with your theory.
Mr Angus Black
Jul 26th 2011, 21:08
Spot on Francis!
Joseph Vella
Jul 26th 2011, 19:41
Kemm nitkellmu malajr meta irridu!. Kap ta' l-Oppozizzjoni li dejjem jitlob biex jirrezenja dak u l-iehor!. Ahjar tara tieghek internament. Kiku temen biha, tista tqaccat nofsom minhemm. Jekk sa tigri hafna kif ghamilt issa sa tizloq!.
Mr David Farrugia
Jul 26th 2011, 20:00
mela ibda semmi lil min ghandu jqaccat......qed nistenna
Victor Vella
Jul 26th 2011, 20:28
Mela David ha nibdew.
Lillu innifsu talli accetta li ikun kap tal partit wara li Jason Micallef ghamel gambetta wara l ohra lill Dr George Abela.
2) Manoel Cuschiera ghal mibeda li ixandar fuq ir Radio.
3) AST tal ftemhim mohbi lil kien ghamel mal Korea ta fuq.
4) Dawk kollha li litteralment gheddew lill Marie Louise Coliero ghax ma qablitx mal leader.
5) Dawk kollha li qed imorru jigru ghand il PL ghax issa xebaw jerdaw minn fuq il PN u qed iffitxu hajt ghal khenn.
Inkompli?
Mr Darren Galea
Jul 26th 2011, 21:18
ahjar ma jibdiex infatti ghax ma jiqafx..lol..nistenna l-Labour jitla fil gvern qijed jien halli nara l-Malta tinbidel bis -sahha ta Joseph u n-nies tieghu tat-tmeninijiet :)
Mr David Farrugia
Jul 26th 2011, 19:40
By what right does a civil servant interfere in Police investigations and demand political actions from the commissioner?
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 26th 2011, 19:57
Whoever demanded political actions?
The circumstances are quite clear..to thoose who can think!
R Saliba
Jul 26th 2011, 20:10
what did he demand?
M Schembri
Jul 26th 2011, 21:10
"Edgar Galea Curmi, the head of the prime minister's private secretariat, after the Commissioner of Police revealed he had received a phone call from him about the arrest of Chris Engerer, Cyrus's father.".........
"Earlier, Mr Galea Curmi issued a statement to explain his phone call to Mr Rizzo after Cyrus Engerer's father was arrested and his property was searched for drugs.
In his statement, Mr Galea Curmi said: ..........
and
immediately phoned the Commissioner of Police, in front of Cyrus and in a way that he could hear every single detail of the phone call.
"The Commissioner of Police stated to me that report on Cyrus's father had been filed before Cyrus's resignation from PN. I explained to the Commissioner of Police what Cyrus had said that Dr. Bizazza had told him. The Commissioner of Police categorically denied any relationship
whatsoever between Cyrus's resignation from PN and the arrest of Cyrus's father. I asked the Commissioner of Police to meet Dr. Bizazza and explain to him the facts. I understand that the Commissioner of Police decided not to follow my request to meet Dr. Bizazza and I respect his decision."
If that is not interfering - than what is. Who is to say if this whether this was only time Mr Galea Curmi had phoned the commissioner of Police or if this is a normal occurance. One thing I can say is that I and many more Maltese citizens, unlike Mr Galea Curmi, do not have a direct line with the Police Commissioner.
Mr Angus Black
Jul 26th 2011, 21:17
Lill min jibda jqaccat? Int ta veru jew?
Jibda biex iqaccat dawk li so tlieta w ghoxrin sena ilu cahhdu lill poplu minn libertajiet u drittijiet tal-bniedem. M'hemmx ghalfejn wiehed inizzel l-ismijiet ta dawk, hajjin u mejtin.
Mur ara kieku Joseph jilhaq PM kemm ser jigri ghand il-Kummissarju aktar u aktar jekk xi hadd tal-qalba jikser xi ligi l'hawn u l'hinn u mbaghad jghid li ma kienx jaf bil-ligi!
Ahjar Joseph jistudja l-istorja tal-Lejber fil-gvern u ma jibqax ikompli bis-sensiela ta hnizrijiet li l-(M)LP ilu jsawwar ghal dawn l-ahhar hamsin sena! Jista wiehed jichad, imma le jbiddel l-istorja.
Peter Bonnici
Jul 26th 2011, 19:39
Its almost impossible for Joseph Muscat not to have known of the allegations against Engerer, given that the lawyers representing Engerer's accuser are well known in the inner circles of the PL.
Paul Abela
Jul 26th 2011, 19:36
Same as usual,Mr.Muscat BLA,BLA,BLA
Polly Bonello
Jul 26th 2011, 19:33
Spinning and weaving at its best! Who is going to believe that this was not an other 'qdusija' mill-Partit Nazzjonalista, li jipprova inaddaf wara li jkun hammeg? Whose 'hidden hand' is terrorising Cyrus because he switched political sides?
Mr Angus Black
Jul 26th 2011, 21:38
Forsi l-PN jnaddaf wara li jhammeg imma l-PL ihammeg, ihammeg u jkompli jhammeg u ghadna nistennew li jnaddaf daqs hamsin sena ta hmieg!
Mr Stephen Florian
Jul 26th 2011, 19:30
All this stinks !
Charles Micallef
Jul 26th 2011, 19:28
Why do they think that we all come from jungle and we eat bananas for dinner, or at least they treat us as if we do!
M Schembri
Jul 26th 2011, 19:39
Why? Because we live in a banana Republic!
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 26th 2011, 19:56
by the look of it perhaps you do. Truth is irrelevant to the spinning machine
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 26th 2011, 21:44
With PN, its bananas...With Joe Muscat, its going to be peanuts................
Charlie Borg
Jul 26th 2011, 19:22
Jisthu ta' xiex?
Mr J Busuttil
Jul 26th 2011, 19:21
Joseph you spoke to quick.
MaryJo Camenzuli
Jul 26th 2011, 19:14
Was Joseph Muscat informed that Cyrus Engerer had this case against him and was questioned by police BEFORE Cyrus Engerer went to Labour and became a Labour candidate?
.
Mr ALBERT FENECH
Jul 26th 2011, 19:33
Yes MaryJo you are right. Coming from the GonziPN, Joe Muscat should have realised that Engerer perhaps had a dubious past because that is part and parcel of being in the GonziPN, as we are fast discovering. However, please enlighten what this has to do with a call for Galea Curmi's resignation, or are you trying to deflect the heat by branching off into obscure offshoots - a popular tactic with GonziPN apologists in these columns.
ALBERT FENECH
Qawra
MaryJo Camenzuli
Jul 26th 2011, 21:26
Mr Albert Fenech,
The facts are sacred, and they are:
Cyrus Engerer is questioned by police on 23 June,
he insists his case should proceed on 9 July,
he resigns on 15 July.
That means, when he resigned, he knew all about his case, his interrogation, and his own insistence his case proceeds.
Ms Francesca Abela
Jul 26th 2011, 19:07
Tal Misthija, kif ma jisthux, dawn l-affarijiet issa drajnihom sewwa hafna, ta John Dalli, Ta Alfred Sant, ta Lawrence Gatt, etc, kull min ma jaqbillomx akrtar jaraw kif jhammguh, ISTHU!
ALFRED BRIFFA
Jul 26th 2011, 19:19
Ms Abela. Jekk inti vera PL, messek qrajt xi krucjata ghamlet il-Maltastar.com ghaliex missier Cyrus kien arrestat mil-pulizija. Issa li sar jaf li ma kienx hemm l-ebda konnesjoni bejn ir-risenja ta Cyrus u l-allegat l-joints ta missieru, Joseph Muscat dawwar il-kanuni tat-tajn, fuq Edgar Galea Curmi. Pragmatizmu sfrenat!
Ms Francesca Abela
Jul 26th 2011, 19:39
Sur Briffa, Ghall informazzjioni tieghek, ahna PN konna izda ma flahniex aktar naraw il facciolismu tal PN, xorta ma jfissirx li sissa il PL ikkonvinciena aktar, taf x'naf li min mhux bil lenti tal kulur blu jew ahmar jara l-affarijiet b'mod differenti, milli dawk li il partit tahhom kollox tajjeb! Ahna familja Nazzjionalista li ma dal Gvern BATEJNA mhux gawdejna, fosi ghax ma konnix imcappsin sewwa. Min hu bhalek il partit tioeghu dejjem kollox jfuh u sewwa jaghmel.!
Joseph Vella
Jul 26th 2011, 19:40
Naqbel perfettament mieghek Alfred Briffa.
M Schembri
Jul 26th 2011, 19:40
You forgot Harry Calleja who was arrested on the eve of a general election.
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 26th 2011, 19:58
qeghda tghaggel jew taghlaq ghajnejk.
Aqra sew!
Mr Denis Pace
Jul 26th 2011, 19:59
l-argumenti tal-LP huma tal-biki
Ms Agnes Bezzina
Jul 26th 2011, 20:30
@ M Schembri
Harry Calleja?!?!?! Who is he?
E. Vassallo
Jul 26th 2011, 21:57
@M Schembri
Harry Calleja min hu?
Mr Ernest Vella
Jul 26th 2011, 22:07
infakkrek li Alfred Sant hammeg lil JPO ghalxejn...mhux qed naqbez ghal JPO ghax fuq dak li ghamel jien ma nafdahx iktar...imma din il-loghba hija biss politika mahmuga u xejn iktar...jekk iwarrbu kollha u nibdew mill-gdid nahseb ahjar
M Schembri
Jul 26th 2011, 23:15
Sorry don't know where I got that surname from. Meant Harry Vassallo of course.