A magistrate this morning fined acting Police Commissioner Ray Zammit after finding him guilty of contempt of court when he failed to notify an accused to appear in court, forcing again the postponement of judgment in a libel case.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale gave this decree in a libel sitting involving former editor of Labour newspaper KullHadd.

The irate magistrate said the judgment had been ready for at least five sittings but the case always had to be put off because of the absence of Mr Agius.

He said "it was evident" that there were "attempts to tamper with the justice system".

"The court finds this interference unacceptable and deplores the behaviour of the acting Police Commissioner and the accused," the magistrate said.

Mr Zammit later denied the allegations in a statement.

Magistrate Depasquale observed that the libel case, involving former EU Representative to Brussels Richard Cachia Caruana, began in 2001 and the court could not deliver judgment 13 years later because of the Acting Police Commissioner's shortcomings.

As he found him guilty of contempt of court and fined him €300, the magistrate ordered him to ensure he carries out his duties by the next sitting.

He also ordered that the decree is sent to Mr Zammit and the Home Affairs Minister, who is politically responsible for the Commissioner's actions.

COMMISSIONER DENIES CLAIM

In his statement, Mr Zammit denied that there were attempts to tamper with the justice system.

He said that three weeks ago, the prosecutor had informed the Courts he was going to be abroad.

However, he invited the court to pass on any information it may have on the allegations made today to the inquiring magistrate for investigation.

The acting commissioner said he would continue to investigate the allegation to see if there were procedures which could be improved in the best interest of justice.

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