Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia ordered the investigation into the police officers’ behaviour. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Two police officers who allegedly strip-searched two Swedish women last month are undergoing an internal investigation, a spokeswoman for the Home Affairs’ Minister said.

Sergeant Major Mario Rotin and Sgt Chantelle Costa will not be suspended before the outcome of the internal police investigation is known, she said.

On Friday, Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia ordered the internal investigation following a magistrate’s call for action to be taken against the two officers.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona said they “should not be allowed to wear the uniform”.

He made the statement after acquitting Swedish nationals Mina Tehrani, 31, and Andea Maturana, 29, of injuring one of the officers, violently resisting arrest, disturbing the peace and disobeying orders.

Police will not be suspended before probe’s outcome

The magistrate heard how the two women, one of who was of Chilean origin, had gone to Paceville to watch the Spain-Chile World Cup match on June 18.

When Chile won, they waved their flag as they walked up St George’s Road in Paceville, each holding the flag from one of the ends.

The flag happened to brush against the face of Mr Rotin, who grabbed the flag from the girls.

After they asked for the flag back, Ms Tehrani tapped the officer’s cap.

The court heard that one of the girls was manhandled and both were then arrested.

Sources said the women were taken to police headquarters where they were strip-searched and asked to bend over to allow a closer examination.

On the following day they were charged in court.

The women were acquitted on the grounds of inconsistencies in the evidence of the police officers.