Grave diggers accused of putting remains in skips

Ten grave diggers at the Addolorata cemetery were yesterday charged with improperly disposing of human remains in skips after cleaning out the graves.

The case came to light after a health ministry official noticed burnt remains in and around skips outside the cemetery on October 19 last year.

The men who work at the 1869 Neo-Gothic style cemetery pleaded not guilty to improperly disposing of remains and transferring them to the charnel house not within the time periods stipulated by law.

Those periods are the first seven days of January, April, July or October.

The accused are Saviour Agius, 56, of Floriana, Paul Briffa, 46, of Żebbuġ, Saviour Zammit, 55, of Cospicua, John Micallef, 48, of Ħamrun, Francis Mansueto, 45, of Floriana, Joseph Muscat, 53, of Paola, Terence Agius, 42, of Floriana, Emanuel Farrugia, 60, of Valletta, Paul Genovese, 43, of Sta Lucia and Paul Muscat, 57, of Cospicua. They pleaded not guilty.

During the brief sitting yesterday, the case was deferred for May.

Police Inspector Jurgen Vella prosecuted.