A man who was cleared of drug trafficking because he had no access to a lawyer before the police interrogation yesterday had the decision confirmed on appeal.

Alvin Privitera had been acquitted by Magistrate Marseann Farrugia following a decision by the Constitutional Court which ruled that his rights had been breached when the police questioned him and later took a statement from him without giving him access to a lawyer.

In his police statement, Mr Privi- tera had admitted to the crime. Still 18 years old at the time of the arrest, the suspect had been subjected to a strip search at his home, in the presence of a number of police officers, a situation he said had a bearing on his statement.

After the Constitutional Court declared a breach of his rights, it passed the case back to the Magistrates’ Court to come up with a remedy. Magistrate Farrugia acquitted him because the only evidence against him was his statement that was found to be in breach of his human rights.

Following his acquittal, the Attorney General appealed but the Criminal Court of Appeal confirmed Magistrate Farrugia’s decision, meaning that Mr Privitera is free to go. Lawyer Franco Debono appeared for Mr Privitera.