Ten people who work at the Addolorata Cemetery were accused in court today with improper disposal of human remains in skips outside the cemetery in Paola.
They were also accused of failing to transfer human remains within the cemetery with due respect.
The accused are Saviour Agius, 56 of Floriana, Paul Briffa 46, of Zebbug, Saviour Zammit, 55 of Cospicua, John Micallef 48, Hamrun, Francis Mansueto, 45, of Floriana, Joseph Muscat, 53 of Paola, Terence Agius, 42 of Floriana, Emanuel Fsrrugia, 60 of Valletta, Paul Genovese 43 of Sta Lucia and Paul Muscat, 57 of Cospicua.
All pleaded not guilty.
The case first came to light in mid-October last year when a Health Department official was reported to have asked the police to investigate what appeared to have been the burning of human remains (bones) near the Addolorata Cemetery.
The Health Ministry said at the time that the fire was noted near Sta Lucija outside the cemetery grounds. The official noted that items that were being burnt included wood, cloth and human remains.