The police will wait to see if any appeals are filed over the case involving former business leader Vince Farrugia before opening an investigation into whether he committed perjury, as directed by the magistrate.
“Although there is a judgment, it does not mean that it’s final. If it is appealed, all that has been ordered remains pending,” Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit said yesterday when contacted.
The appeal window is of 10 days from Wednesday, when Magistrate Edwina Grima found developer Sandro Chetcuti guilty of punching Mr Farrugia, the former director general of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, GRTU, during an argument in 2010.
We are being very cautious
But in a judgment that came down hard on Mr Farrugia for “twisting the arm of justice”, she also directed the police to investigate whether there were legal grounds to charge him and other witnesses for making false accusations, perjury and fabricating evidence.
She said Mr Farrugia had tried to influence people in authority who could help him on the case and had tried to manipulate witnesses.
The former GRTU has so far not been questioned on such allegations, Mr Zammit said.
The police were waiting for the appeal window to elapse – eight days for Mr Chetcuti and 10 days for the Attorney General.
“I have to allow the term to pass and, if there is an appeal, I have to look at the terms of appeal and move forward accordingly,” he said.
Asked why the police could not start investigating irrespective of the court judgment, he said the main evidence in the case – which happened three years ago – was contained in the court documents which the police had to study.
“We are being very cautious to ensure we do not do anything that can go against the law or that is declared null at a later stage,” he said.
Times of Malta tried to contact Mr Farrugia but he could not be reached for comment.
Mr Chetcuti, vice president of the Malta Development Association, was recently appointed a member of the new Building Regulations Board.
In the light of the guilty verdict, it is not clear whether he will retain this role.