Battle of the beach: A fair €60 fine? How you saw it

brian farrugia

Aug 16th 2012, 21:18

lets all decide and legislate once and for all;
ZERO TOLERANCE TO VIOLENCE AND COME DOWN LIKE A TON OF BRICKS ON THOSE VIOLENT PERSONS.

Noel Dimech

Aug 16th 2012, 19:34

Il Vera tal biki ,xezempju qed nghatu liz zghar.Arukaza pajjiz tal biki, Imissa l qorti tibda hi tghati lezempju ghall min jiehu l ligi bidejh.

Henry S Pace

Aug 16th 2012, 17:34

Absolutely Not worth the sitting.

The courts could not adjust themselves between the Euro and the Maltese Lira.

Henry S Pace

Aug 16th 2012, 17:31

Absolutely Not worth the sitting.

The courts could not adjust themselves between the Euro and the Maltese Lira.

Ray Borg

Aug 16th 2012, 09:20

It is amazing that after so many days, no political party came out and condemned this act. No politician from whichever party came out and said, HEY, this is my opinion not my party`s opinion, but I am against all this.
It seems to me that In Malta, its best to be on the illegal side:-
Don’t pay your taxes, after so many years, there will come a finance minister that will come out and say, it`s best to give a “proklama” and collect “Some” of what these law breakers own the state coffins.
Don`t pay the Vat: - the same minister might come up with the same bright idea.
DO break the law: - if anything, you will get a slap on your wrist and get away with it.
Do find a stretch of public land and set a camp;- but call it a boat house (it`s ok, we know its against the law) in time, the state will provide you with electricity and in some 30 years the land will become legally yours and you or your children may sell it for God only know show much, (and then it is legal, don’t worry). If any one will say this is not true and it cannot happen, then I invite you to go to the north of Malta and try to buy one of the camps, ( or are they houses now) from the owners.
And the list goes on and on.
This is a real sorry time for Malta, as it is transpiring how poorly we, the law abiding citizens are treated. We are just like a banana, we are used and eaten and then the skin thrown away. I cannot write what I feel I want to write as, I may be interpreted as enticing people and THAT is against the law. But what can I do then? One of two things: - nothing or break the law!
If anything this incidence thought us a lesson, we are on our own, political parties and politicians are there for their own agenda. I wish I can say more!
BTW, did you sign the petition!
https://www.change.org/petitions/malta-remove-illegal-boathouses-from-our-island

VV Bartolo

Aug 16th 2012, 09:00

miniex niggustifika li ghamlu dawn il-campers, LANQAS XEJN!!! imma ejjew induru dawra max-xtut Maltin u naraw kollox. kull fil-ghodu (mas-sebh ghal xil-530am) mall-front ta' Bugibba titqazzez. turisti fuq ir-ramel, fuq il-blat iwerzqu, fil-bahar, jghajjtu, dahq sfrenat etc...

dalghodu biss fil-pjazza ta' Bugibba familja barranija missier u omm fis-sakra ma jarawx art u zewg guvintur over 20 qazzew pjazza, bil-karozza tal-kiri taghhom pparkjata fuq il-bankina. sahansitra pot bil-hamrija kien hemm meqluba. ghalfejn dil-hsara? mur pajjizhom ghamel hekk u ghax harist lejhom fit-tul u bl-ikrah wiehed mill-guvintur vilment xejjirli u qallhi "hello, bye"!!

iktar il-fuq mill-Amazonia, grupp ta' 5 studenti jixxabtu min fuq il-blat ghal mar-railings ghal got-triq, meta 2 metri l-fuq hemm tarag tal-gebel. l-istess harist lejhom u wahda minnhom b'arroganza fuqha dahqitli!

l-awtorita ghandha tqum mir-raqda li hi rieqda u ddur il-bajjiet. jekk pulizija m'hemmx bizzejjed jigu allokati suldati u min jinqabad ikisser jehel multi horox!!

John Caruana

Aug 16th 2012, 08:49

Waqajna ghac-cajt mad-dinja

E Schembri

Aug 16th 2012, 08:44

If the courts don't do justice, than the citizens will.

And this is a warning sign to politicians who should update our outdated laws immediately as more and more people will start to take the law in their own hands.

The 16days warning is yet another joke from MEPA, why don't leave them there till the end of September at this rate.

A Camilleri

Aug 16th 2012, 01:13

what?

Hossam Helwani

Aug 16th 2012, 00:11

they should be ordered to be removed within 48 hours and not in two weeks. This is seen as how to let them get away with it as the summer holidays would be over by end of august. Shame shame shame.

A Tonna

Aug 15th 2012, 23:43

1 cigarette smoked in a public place = 3 assaults with slight injuries
This is the justice in Malta.

Mario Vella

Aug 15th 2012, 21:12

jien ma nistax nifhem x ligijiet dawn!kas bhal dan il ligi trid tipprovdi piena gusta..u irrilevanti jekk il vittma tahfirx jew le

A. Caruana

Aug 15th 2012, 21:06

Nisperaw li issa ssir gustizzja ta' veru u bis-serjeta'. Il-filmati u r-ritratti (r-reali) huma prova cara daqs il-kristall li dawk il-hamsa mhux sempliciment kisru l-paci pubblika.

Patrick Camilleri

Aug 15th 2012, 21:06

I believe the light fine was the result of the perpetrators being "forgiven" by the victim. If this is the case then the Law needs a quick update.

Whether a victim forgives the perpetrator or not should be between victim and his conscience. The Law should ignore this issue.

We are otherwise creating a situation where victims might be terrorized into "forgiving" the person committing the crime.

Let the victim forgive ..... that's his prerogative.... but the LAW must be applied all the same!

If the LAW is wrong CHANGE IT!

Albert Zammit

Aug 15th 2012, 20:25

We should call it ' operation might is right'...

A.J. Critien

Aug 15th 2012, 20:19

Immediate action, from whichever local Authority be it Government, Mepa, Attorney General, Commissioner of Police or whoever, is called for to remove all tents from the beach in question within 24 hours, not in 16 days time as Mepa announced !!
This is the only way the general public will be assured that this Government means business and such abuse is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

john vernon

Aug 15th 2012, 17:55

They shame their own island and their religion, they should be in a zoo

Carmel Grima

Aug 15th 2012, 17:33

None of these louts shall ever be invited to tea and cakes at my house :)
Ing Carmel Grima

Gustav Svensson

Aug 15th 2012, 17:28

I think these pictures are price less, they really capture fee hot feelings of the maltese summer. I think everybody got a bit of maltese beach boy in them.

Alfie Lewis

Aug 15th 2012, 17:26

A quote from a Clint Eastwood film 'HANG THEM HIGH' BUT very high

Joe Morana

Aug 15th 2012, 17:21

Smart Island indeed....a leap in the qauity of life indeed ... !
tell it to the marines.....! shame

carmel cassar

Aug 15th 2012, 17:11

We expect real justce on the second round

andreana attard

Aug 15th 2012, 17:04

You've got to admit that the pics are pretty funny and well photoshopped. I like the humour. By the way, the thugs were only charged 60 euros because the person who got punched ended up doing the kind thing and FORGAVE them. Therefore the police could not charge them with causing bodily harm to that man. The 60 euros is the fine for public disturbance only.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Aug 15th 2012, 16:54

Thuggery on the cheap!

It seems that any public violence (as well as political violence) is permissible, if you have sixty euro to spare.

john Cassar

Aug 15th 2012, 16:29

Gustizja tac cajt. Ara xi qrati ghandna

Barney Camilleri

Aug 15th 2012, 16:20

Now after all the guns go silent, and the politicians study this scenario with no action proposed. In a few days all is forgotten and will be repeated elsewhere. Let us salute the Times of Malta for being in the vanguard to bring this shocking experience to the public attention.
Keep up the good work.

Mark Cassar

Aug 15th 2012, 16:15

Besides these 5 thugs, the guys below are also Maltese and we should be very proud of them and their future potential:. So spread the positive and like the You tube..

The times...14th August

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120814/life-features/shuffling-in-malta.432856


The Times...15th August
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120815/local/edward-debono-claims-credit-for-saving-the-olympics.432967

Anthony Falzon

Aug 15th 2012, 16:03

WE SHALL FIGHT THEM ON THE BEACHES......

Lawrence Fenech

Aug 15th 2012, 16:01

Most probably dismentling the tentopoly will include the 27th August of each coming summer.

GL Calleja

Aug 15th 2012, 16:00

One thing for sure. This puts Malta negatively on the front pages of a lot of newspapers around the world. Nobody seems to give enough credit to the victim, who all by himself took it upon himself to affront these thugs. Now there is a hero. Bullies, bullies. 5 thugs picking on one defenseless person? Fair fight? Big disappointment that Mr Haber decided not to press charges. That is still a mystery to me. Why doesn't the Town of Marsaxlokk press charges to protect their citizens? Why are these thugs encouraged to do the same somewhere else to someone else? Where will their tents be set up next? It could be your town and your beaches. They have nothing to lose but face a €60 fine. Our courts are a piece of art.

Tarcisio Vella

Aug 15th 2012, 15:56

We can surely call our courts "COURTS OF LAW" but surely not "COURTS OF JUSTICE"

John Holmes

Aug 15th 2012, 15:12

Oh come on, stop whining, you are not seeing so much benefits that have arisen from this Pharisaical comedy?

1. It shows that old men can defend themselves.

2. Obese people are fully integrated in society, and it has been shown they can also do the 'What's-Uppppppp'?, mouth gesticulation.

3. Computer graphic designers have had the chance to exhibit their work, free thanks to the Times blog.

4. We all had a laugh , without paying Euro cent, door money.

5. The courts have sent out the message you can vent your frustration on anyone for €60, (a time)

6. The Photo confirms, The Police are no where to be seen, when trouble sparks off.

7. Those injured, are forgotten immediately, they have to spend thousands maybe they get peanuts.

Enjoy it whilst you can, life is too short.

'What's-Uppppppp'?,

William Vella Zarb

Aug 15th 2012, 14:35

These guys must be loving the attention they're getting.

Patricia Mifsud

Aug 15th 2012, 14:23

I too would probably have ended up 'forgiving' these thugs. My reasoning? Dawk jaslu - il-pulizija ma jaslux.

Nazzareno Cortis

Aug 15th 2012, 14:20

I think the problem of the resident was that he was bullied by some five men at one time!!!! I am sure that if they came one by one---the resident would sure have knocked the five of them with a single blow for each!!! The thing that I don't understand is why the hell did the resident forgive these bunch of idiots in court???? Really he should have gone all the way in court!!!

John Holmes

Aug 15th 2012, 14:09

The main image depicting the battle field, should have a caption 'Welcome to Paceville''.

c scudi

Aug 15th 2012, 13:58

so,

As predicted this ugly incident has gone viral..Brilliant..now the whole world will see they type of people that inhabit these islands..Reminicent of some wild tribe at the turn of the 18th Century meeting Captain Cook!!

This is an insult to the majority of decent people that live here and both political parties owe it to them,to enact legislation that will stop this ever happening again.This is a small Island and if the campers and illegal boat houses continue at this rate,the rest of the population will be squeezed off the beaches.

The next invasion will be Gypsies from abroad.....

Victor Vella

Aug 15th 2012, 13:53

Nixtieq nghid prosit min ha dawn ir-rittratti. L-espressjoni ta` l-aggessuri hi xi haga li naraw fil-pitturi tal-knejjes Maltin jew fil-Via Sagra fejn Gesu spicca il-vittma ta` l-aggressuri tieghu. Xeni ta` 2,000 sena ilu spiccaw fit-triqat taghna fis-sena 2012. Daqshekk huwa iccivillizat dan il-pajjiz.

Analise Deguara

Aug 15th 2012, 13:39

So basically the lesson after this incident ... the Maltese law taught us to take legal action in our hands, at the end we all can effort to pay 60.00 Euro fine.. , no wonder why Malta is far way behind other countries mentality .
Good example given out to the younger generation!
PROSIT!

George Azzopardi

Aug 15th 2012, 13:33

Stupidity wins over our poor jusice system yet again!!! I bet these tugs are luaghing back at us normal law respected citizens!!!

Jeffrey Mallia

Aug 15th 2012, 13:28

This is by far the most corrupt country in Europe......Honest people should unite and protest on the streets against this corrupt legal system and whoever is running it.......We had enough of you,............Can't you see the uproar of the past 2 days ???

RAYMOND BENCINI

Aug 15th 2012, 13:20

Surely, it has crossed many peoples' minds, that intimidation, bullying, threats and even elimination of potential witnesses, were the trade-marks of the Mafia.Is this what Malta is coming to?!
Quo vadis Malta?

Robert Lewis

Aug 15th 2012, 13:18

60 euro. Haqq fenkata ghal tnejn. All 69 MPs should take action if they think that this attitude is making a mockery of Malta.

Charles Zammit

Aug 15th 2012, 13:16

I like the intelligence look on the Hulks' face !!!!!

Victor Schembri

Aug 15th 2012, 13:16

Rajt ir-rittratti li hemm fit Times tal-lum. Rizultat,nidhaq u nibki fl istess hin.

Joe Borg (Senior)

Aug 15th 2012, 13:09

qorti dajfa .. kulhadd jaghmel li jrid!!!!

louis brincat

Aug 15th 2012, 12:54

the local councils do not take action when a report is lodged at the council.here in marsascala people are fishing in enclosed swimming zone , last year and this year stil going on, now when a fight happens and someone get hurt with fishing hooks we fine them 60 ewro

Joe Xuereb

Aug 15th 2012, 12:46

This forgiveness thing. As Roman Catholics we are indoctrinated into this forgiveness brain-washing thingy. If only it were that simple!
This is how it works. Somebody does me bad and I forgive him/her. Unconditionally. Unconditionally?! If the malfattore (the evil-doer) is a dyed-in-the-wool evil bastard, he will think, 'you weak twat!'. I may feel goody-goody but where is my self-esteem(other than a guaranteed seat in Heaven). So no, forgiveness and 'on condition that' come as a whole package. In this case, ideally the aggressor would shake the gentleman's hand AND NEVER AGAIN BE AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS ANYONE, EVER! Yes, and pigs might fly.
This whole forgiveness thing could, I guess, be connected to the Stockholm Syndrome - Wikipedia it! - where hostages collude and even befriend the hostage-takers. Odd but the mindset that leads to this 'humanity' needs to be studied. It is an arduous study that the 'short and sweet' bridge would be well-advised to shy away from. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Only a stupid downplaying akin to 'it was only a punch and he forgave anyway'. Like hell I would! But then I have shaken off daft indoctrinations.

This piffling sixty euro fine may apply to a simple assault (like someone lashing out because they jumped a queue or something). I would set a higher fine even for this. The case here is not simple assault (the pictures testify to this). But worse in this case, I get the feeling that the Court is in appeasement mode so as not to aggravate the tough-guys (and never mind the gentleman who was attacked). That said, this, especially in a society like Malta's, is truly a slipper-slope into total anarchy, where the tough rule the weak. Some simpleton elsewhere even wanted the Government to publish all revealing details of anyone charged with child-abuse. I don't think so! The self-righteous in Malta is alive and kicking alright!

Terrifying!!

Robert Lewis

Aug 15th 2012, 12:45

What about the other protesters, where were they. They let Mr Haber struggle on his own, they should have intervened. Hekk sewwa.

Joseph Caruana

Aug 15th 2012, 12:43

Very Creative Photo Shopping! The Hulk and the Man with the Fireball, stands out. I must say that the other photo of the four arraigned in Court over the incident, whereby the Hulk has his tongue stuck out, I wish he was informed of dental and mouth hygiene care, which really would benefit the desired results.

Joe Xuereb

Aug 15th 2012, 12:33

This forgiveness thing. As Roman Catholics we are indoctrinated into this forgiveness brain-washing thingy. If only it were that simple!

This is how it works. Somebody does me bad and I forgive him/her. Unconditionally. Unconditionally?! If the malfattore (the evil-doer) is a dyed-in-the-wool evil bastard, he will think, 'you weak twat!'. I may feel goody-goody but where is my self-esteem(other than a guaranteed seat in Heaven). So no, forgiveness and 'on condition that' come as a whole package. In this case, ideally the aggressor would shake the gentleman's hand AND NEVER AGAIN BE AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS ANYONE, EVER! Yes, and pigs might fly.

This whole forgiveness thing could, I guess, be connected to the Stockholm Syndrome - Wikipedia it! - where hostages collude and even befriend the hostage-takers. Odd but the mindset that leads to this 'humanity' needs to be studied. It is an arduous study that the 'short and sweet' bridge would be well-advised to shy away from. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Only a stupid downplaying akin to 'it was only a punch and he forgave anyway'. Like hell I would! But then I have shaken off daft indoctrinations.

maria curmi

Aug 15th 2012, 12:16

VERA PAJJIZ TAL MICKEYMOUSE

Rose Agius

Aug 15th 2012, 12:15

I have lost all faith in our judiciary ..it is making a mockery of lawfulness and fairness - the culprit is many times rewarded with a very lenient sentence and the victim bears the brunt. Wake up judges and Magistrates, do try to save Malta as we are being ridiculed by many foreigners..

Joe Xuereb

Aug 15th 2012, 12:10

Yes, I do blame the Government. Divide and rule is not democratic. This because appeasing the people with 'ħobż u kummiedji' does not sit comfortably with the saving of one's soul.

Leading a country and personal healthy(?) relationships with the Curia are separate matters. Do what you - MPs, one and all - are paid to do and get on with it.

I have often said how well Malta has done since independence, in spite of its lacks of resources, lack of water, lack of everything. I do not take this back but I have to look at the other face of the coin. I am fast reaching the conclusion that there IS a malady in the Maltese soul and probably, it will take a coloniser to find a remedy. On another tread, a Mr. Daniel Orsini, in his fanciful grasp of English, played down the incident saying it was only a punch and the 'assaulted'* forgave anyway. I would like to see him keeping his cool if he were in the gentleman's position (unless of course there is some hidden agenda but that 's another matter). If only it were that simple (I provided a wordy riposte to that silliness, on that tread).

*I will now refuse to label the assaulted man as 'the victim'. With a little law and order, nobody needs to be a victim or be victimised. Which reminds me of that other who said (again, on that other tread) that he resents commenters who write at length for their own vainglorious ends without providing solutions. Listen matey! Malta's problems run deep and will not be resolved by 'short and sweet'. If you think 'short and sweet' could do the trick, go ahead and be my guest!

We are always full of praise for the Police Force when they do a good job (they are paid to do a good job, punto e basta). That said, none of this would have happened had the villagers gone to the local Police Station and sorted out the matter there. Why did they not do this? Why did they resort to a public demonstration showing yet again that Malta is not yet ready for public displays such as a peaceful demonstration. Why does everything have to be so volatile? Why are the people so divided (and then they have the cheek to tell us to integrate with foreigners. That will be the day! Maybe the division of the Maltese as a nation is the age-old ruse of 'divide and rule'. In Malta, nothing, but nothing surprises me any more.

Note: The young man in the background on the left looks like he is relishing the moment, in glorious 'tit-ful and shoe-less' technicolor.

I must thank whoever thought up the hilarious collages attached to this article. Can we please have one of the skinny Rambo in a 'wedding' suit, with a blue carnation on the lapel a' la Oscar Wilde, and ready to pull (push?) a punch. And shiny patent leather shoes pinching his bunions and calloused feet something terrible. Thank you.

steve Micallef

Aug 15th 2012, 12:05

I Bet they will be given compensation for some phenomenal reason or at the end of summer MEPA will issue a notice of sort.

paul camilleri

Aug 15th 2012, 12:02

sir while i ant understand why the person getting beatup wants to drop the charges, i cannot understand why the courts allow such barbarsim acts go with a fine of 60euro.

although this was explained on TV , i personally think that the police themselves could of procecuted these scum with tape evidence without having the victim testify. least we be fooling ourselves the victim is probaly scared out of his wits and his first priority is the protection of his family.

these scumbags ( because they certainly are not people) deserve to be locked up and the key tossed into the sea

Victor Vella

Aug 15th 2012, 11:55

Pajjiz imkisser, taht gvern imkisser. Pajjiz spiccut.

Ronnie Callus

Aug 15th 2012, 11:54

Xe'fidenza aktar iridu l-pulizija biex jipprocedu kontra dawn in-nies !! Ir-ritratti juru kollox x'tip ta' nies huma dawn u sa' fejn jaslu sa' anke quddiem il-Qorti marru biex jizzuvvjettaw. Jekk mhux se' jinghataw sentenza xierqa ahna ic-ciitaddini se'nitilfu kull kredibilta fil-qrati taghna ( jekk mhux ga' tlifnija) u mela nigu nghidu li Franco Debono mghandhux ragun jitkellem. X'jonqos aktar naraw f'dan il-pajjiz ???? Il-Gustizzja marret il-bahar barra affarijiet serji ohra wkoll!! li saru kwazi f'kull qasam. Fejn mhemmx 'ORDNI' tirrenja d-DISORDNI u hekk qed jigri f'dan il-pajjiz. Tlifna il-bilanc ta' kollox mhux fl-ikel biss !!!

Mark Piscopo

Aug 15th 2012, 11:54

It-tolleranza spiccat, izda fl-opinjoni tieghi x-xoghol siewi li qeghdin jaghmlu l-pulizija qeghda tintilef mill-gudikatura. 60eur kull wiehed hija bla sens. Il-vittma ghaddej min trawma u bilfors jahfrilhom

martin said

Aug 15th 2012, 11:49

Tal biki!!

Joe Galea

Aug 15th 2012, 11:48

These are signs of a degenerated society in a degenerated country.

Carmelo Sammut

Aug 15th 2012, 11:48

Itfawhom gewwa ghax hemm postom

michael farrugia

Aug 15th 2012, 11:43

Charles Dickens wrote, sir, the law is an ass. I am now certain that he left out a very important word which is MALTESE. Yes, the saying should be that Maltese Law is an ass.

Having a Christian govt which holds no bounds for social and economic justice, it is totally incomprehensible that our Laws go back to the Neanderhal man. Wow, a man is threatned and beaten up by five hoods, one of who is awaiting a prison sentence and he is given Hobsons choice. Either refrain from taking action or else expect reprisal from these law abiding citizens. This forgiveness fiasco should have been erased a long time ago. Too many innumerable violent people are being let off over technacalities. The Americans have a saying, do the crime, do the time.

If you do a crime there is no necessity for forgiveness from the part of the part of the victim. Any agressor should thinks before he acts. The same applies to Govt, whoever it may be. Your etre de raisson should be to protect the law abiding citizens and not thugs and well known criminals who have had probation sentences for upto 7, 8 or even nine times. Absurd. I remember when the Hon DeMarco introduced the law he said three strikes and your out. It seems we have had an amendment which says thirty strikes and keep on going.

If we had time to push legislation for dog chips which results in hefty fines, the fines should carry the same amount as the severity of the crime committed. Irrespective of forgiveness.

Anyway its useless for us to say to the govt to wake up. In a few months. at this rate. they will be hibernating for a long time, Justice in Malta ? A national joke!

Mr Tony Borg

Aug 15th 2012, 11:36

I have always been told -- and I have no reason to doubt the correctness of what I have been told -- that when an offence within the original jurisdiction of the Court of Magistrates and which would normally require the complaint of the injured party for prosecution to be undertaken, is accompanied with another offence affecting public order (as seems to have been the case here), then the police may prosecute irrespective of whether or not there is such a complaint. In such a situation the waiver of the complaint by the injured party -- popularly know as the “forgiveness” by the victim – has no effect whatsoever on the proceedings (although it may affect the quantum of punishment), in the sense that the charge will still stand and the magistrate has to decide whether or not the offender is guilty of that charge, and not merely abstain from taking cognizance of it. Was this jurisprudential principle followed in this case? If not, was any reason given for a departure from case-law?

Michael borg

Aug 15th 2012, 11:35

The famous five should have been disgusted with themselves as what happened, it's the residents right to ask for a harsh sentence all these abusive campers anywhere on the island. Criminals are criminals and should be dealt with harshly by the authorities.

jonathan galea

Aug 15th 2012, 11:17

marxaxlokk residents should all stand up together and remove all tents on the beach if police wont intervene, after all you only get €60 fine

Mr anton izzo

Aug 15th 2012, 10:56

Isma hamsa kontra wiehed veru tal-biza possibbli il-povru ragel ma kienx hemm min jaqbez ghalih. Mhux ghax qed niggustifika il-glieda imma possibli ha nibqghu sejrin hekk go dal-pajjiz kulhadd jamghel li jrid umbaghad niehdu azzjoni. Milli jidher dawn il-hamsa hadd ma jista ghalihom ghax safrattant il-kampijiet hemm ghadhom. Ligi u dixxiplina ma tezistiex.

V Mercieca

Aug 15th 2012, 10:51

If the campers were reported to the police and to MEPA and no one took action, why doesn’t the minister, responsible for these authorities, take action against them and the responsible officers who failed in their duties to protect John Citizen?

As usual in Malta, no one is responsible when things go wrong, but everyone wants credit even if it is not due when thing go well.

Joe Scerri

Aug 15th 2012, 10:39

60 euros for a punchup and having your face splashed all over the internet - a bargain.

E. Azzopardi

Aug 15th 2012, 10:37

Could have easily been avoided if action were taken when the camps where reported. But no, the citizens have to protest first and incidents like these happen, before action is taken.

Those serving the public have been told to listen and act. Many are not listening.

Catherine Polidano

Aug 15th 2012, 10:15

If it is true that the judicial system is to be overhauled, a salient injustice to be tackled is that non-violent relatively minor infringements are given harsher penalties than violent and more serious crimes. For example, the fine for smoking in an out of bounds place can go into the hundreds of Euros. While hitting, threatening and intimidating a a law-abiding person is given a mere 60 Euros. The sentence should reflect the gravity of the crime, so if the illegal smoking of a cigarette carries a hefty fine, then a violent act should carry a much heftier fine.

The insult to the injury is that magistrates are able to turn on victims and ask the victim if s/he forgives the aggressor. And under the aggressor's threatening eyes too! Forgiveness is a personal issue not a judicial or a legal issue and so should not be used to reduce the penalty deserved by the aggressor. After all, the crime of the aggressor is not reduced by the forgiveness of the victim. For example, if one beats, tortures and kills a child, would these crimes be less if the parents forgive the criminal in question??

I feel that in this case, given that the violence and threats are captured on photos/videos, the police should prosecute the transgressors. Otherwise, a very dangerous message will be given to bullies: do what you want in this country - usurp public land and then threaten any law-abiding citizen that dares question your illegal acts - fear will compel the victims to 'forgive' you and you'll get away with a mere fine.

Michael Bugeja

Aug 15th 2012, 10:08

Prosit lit times of Malta li jkunu huma ta l-ewwel nies li jinfurmawna x'qieghed jigri fuq din il gzira zghira taghna,ghax jidher lil-qiegha tishon aktar mit temp, kullhadd qieghed jiehu l-ligi b'idejh, Gesu ghamel li ma nigux bhall l-amerikani kullhadd bl-armi f'idejh

Peter Agius

Aug 15th 2012, 10:06

And meanwhile the tents are still erected on the beach. I would have expected the Police to swoop on the campers and see to it that they pack up and leave. But maybe I expect too much. Why ruin Santa Marija for all concerned?? If I were the Mayor, the Magistrate, the Police Commissioner, the District Superintendent or anyone else in Authority for that matter I would go hide myself in shame.

paul valletta

Aug 15th 2012, 10:05

is it possible nobody recognized mr anthony cini of SALIB IT TOROQ , who was interrogating kevin in the scene , for sure he was interogated . he's a public figure so for sure he must be ......

Kenneth Azzopardi

Aug 15th 2012, 10:01

We need serious changes in our police force which does not seem to work they always come late and they never seem to be around when you need them.

Philip Mizzi

Aug 15th 2012, 09:58

This incident showed that our law is flawed where such criminal behaviour is concerned! Regardless of being 'forgiven' or not by the victim, the crime was committed! In my eyes (and I believe the eyes of law abiding citizens too), this cowardly and disgusting crime must never be left unpunished.

This clause (forgiving the aggressors by the victim) opens the door wide to criminals to threaten their victims by telling them that if they do not 'forgive them' in court, they (the victims) will suffer the consequences. What a wrong message this clause gives to criminal minds!

In the eyes of a law abiding citizen -- JUSTICE WAS NOT DONE!
In the eyes of a criminal -- I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT AND GET AWAY WITH IT IF I THREATEN AND HARASS MY VICTIM
Is this why we voted to join the EU?
If the 'forgiveness clause' is to be allowed in our law, then the punishment should only be reduced by a small amount, not removed altogether! As can be seen in this case, the magistrate had no alternative but not to punish the aggressors for injuring the victim, because they were forgiven by the victim, letting them go 'scot free’ FOR ASSUALT!!!

So this once again falls on the shoulders of the legislator, i.e. the members elected by the people to 'serve' (sic) in parliament!

Emanuel. Vella.

Aug 15th 2012, 09:52

nippremjaw lil min jghamel il-hazin,u lit-tajjeb insalbuh,sitwazzjoni tal-BIZA u TAL-BIKI qeghdin fis-sena 2012.

William Caligari

Aug 15th 2012, 09:43

haqqkom prosit kbira ta' dawn l-itratti li qed jxandru
hawn fuq.

Prosit timesofmalta.com

A Tonna

Aug 15th 2012, 09:41

The victim objected through fear not through religious beleifs. This is my opinion. Whether the victim has 'forgiven' them or not, the evidence that they did a crime and that they brought down to ridicule our law courts is on camera. Can't have more evidence to give a fair sentence. Maybe next time, a victim would not have time to 'forgive' !

With this 60 euro fine, the courts are sending a message to the public that they can do anything they want.

joseph engerer

Aug 15th 2012, 09:41

While the goverment spends lots of money trying to poject Malta as a peacefull civilized tourist destination, these guys gets coverage around the world for free for what looks like a third world country. unfortunately
the 60 euro fine did not help either, all in all the impression is far from good.

Daniel Borg

Aug 15th 2012, 09:40

Tpejep sigaret go pub gravi iktar mili tati xeba lil xi hadd skond il ligi ta malta, ax awn min hallas €250 tali qabduh ipejep go pub u adni ma nistax inizzila li tehel €60 fuq xi haga ek

Ian Ellul

Aug 15th 2012, 09:35

The Times, with such a tradition behind it in the Maltese press ought to be leading a campaign for tougher sentences.

Being in the position that it is, the Times ought to be hassling the authorities why these thugs were allowed in court in the state they were rather than being fined and sent for a day in prison for showing utter disrespect and contempt of court!

It is especially disconcerting seeing this being allowed in court when I know elderly individuals being sent home because they were wearing shorts - and this when all they needed was to access offices in court rather than appearing.

So what's going on. The same old story of being strong with the weak and weak with the strong?

S. Zahra

Aug 15th 2012, 09:35

"Joe Giglio pointed out that the magistrate’s hands were tied because the Marsaxlokk man who was hurt, Christopher Haber, renounced criminal action"

The reason for this is quite obvious .... Mr Haber is afraid that the bullies will hit back! From his point of view I agree that he forgives them, but police should take further steps since this was filmed.

A Camilleri

Aug 15th 2012, 09:33

Will this bring our courts of justice to start behaving in a way that makes the general public feel safe? I wonder. Again, why is it that the Authorities seem to take action only when prodded by the social media or newspapers? Whether its the police or MEPA or whoever.......and when they do, reluctantly. See MEPA giving these louts a deadline to move out by end August, the end of summer when in other instances they only give you a matter of hours.

N. Agius

Aug 15th 2012, 09:27

Sorry but I don't think that this incident should be turned into a farce! For me it is a very serious matter as a normal citizen I am realizing that I do not feel protected against such aggressive people.

V. CALLEJA

Aug 15th 2012, 09:22

IT IS NOT A LOUGHING MATTER