A 49-year-old man from Cospicua, who is expected to be charged with injuring police officers in Paceville, has claimed he was beaten up by a member of the Rapid Intervention Unit.

The incident took place yesterday at around 4.30am outside an entertainment club in Triq San Ġorġ, where the man and his 17-year-old son were allegedly involved in a massive brawl.

Members of the RIU were called in and the father and son were arrested and taken for questioning to the St Julian’s police station.

Both men had resisted arrest

Sources said the man had to be treated at Mater Dei Hospital after suffering fractures to his shoulder and nose. In his statement he later claimed that these injuries were the result of a severe beating with a baton that he received from an RIU officer.

Asked whether the police would open an inquiry into the claim, a police spokeswoman yesterday said she was not in a position to give a reply. However she said both men had resisted arrest and caused slight injuries to several RIU officers.

As a result they would be charged in court in connection with using violence against public officials.

Last month Police Commissioner Michael Cassar ordered an inquiry into allegations that a man was beaten up in Paceville after refusing to give his personal details over a smoking offence. The probe was launched following an anonymous letter to the media by somebody claiming to be the man’s parent.