An inquiry into a decision by former police commissioner Peter Paul Zammit to drop charges against a man who allegedly assaulted four officers would be published “in the coming days”, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said on Monday.

The incident, which dates back to June 2013, took place at the Żabbar police station.

Mr Zammit subsequently dropped all charges against the alleged aggressor.

Following this controversial decision, the ministry ordered an inquiry which was concluded last July.

In spite of repeated pledges that the conclusions would be made public, the report is still under wraps.

Asked for his reaction during a visit to the Corradino Correctional Facility, Mr Abela on Monday reiterated the government’s pledge and said the findings would be made public in the coming days.

Man allegedly assaulted four officers at Żabbar police station

However, no such guarantees were given when this newspaper asked if the conclusions of a separate probe concluded in September last year would also be released.

This investigation was ordered by Mr Zammit following a police blunder which led to the wrong man being arraigned over a hold-up at a Birkirkara confectionery.

Though the then commissioner pledged to publish the report “to put people’s mind at rest” the findings were never disclosed.

Last week the report was presented in court during the hearing of a libel case but the presiding magistrate ordered it to remain confidential.

In spite of this ban, PN daily newspaper In-Nazzjon yesterday published what it described as the findings of this probe, which reportedly criticised the lack of coordination between the Criminal Investigations Department and the district police.

The Home Affairs Minister last Monday insisted that the decision on its publication hinged on Commissioner Michael Cassar.

He justified his stance saying that the government did not want to interfere in an internal police inquiry.