An author facing criminal charges over a sexually explicit novel yesterday boycotted the National Book Awards ceremony at Castille in protest at the way he was treated.

Alex Vella Gera, author of the story Li Tkisser Sewwi, which appeared in the University newspaper Ir-Realtà, turned down an invitation to attend the awards ceremony after taking offence at the way the Nationalist Party’s television station depicted him and newspaper editor Mark Camilleri as promoters of paedophilia.

In a letter circulated to the media, Mr Vella Gera said he was not comfortable in the presence of the Prime Minister who, as PN leader, set the television station’s media policy.

“The station’s accusation is not only unacceptable and libellous but is an allegation devoid of professional and human ethical considerations,” he said.

Reacting to Mr Vella Gera’s comments, Net TV said it was “surprised how someone who was campaigning against censorship was asking for Net TV to be censored”.

The station defended its news reportage, adding that in more than six months of reporting on the matter the author never took the station to court or reported the issue to the Broadcasting Authority.

“Net TV has not passed any judgment on Alex Vella Gera or Mark Camilleri or their writing and only stuck to reporting facts,” it said.

Mr Vella Gera also shed doubt as to how serious the promises to reform the law regulating obscenities and make it reflect contemporary reality were when at the same time the punishments were increased.

“My absence here tonight should be considered as a personal protest,” he said in the letter, adding he could not attend as if nothing had happened.

Mr Vella Gera stands charged with breaching article 208 of the Criminal Code dealing with the distribution of pornographic or obscene material, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of up to €465.87 if found guilty.

His contentious story written in 1997 deals with the male narrator’s sexual exploits. Written in explicit language, it describes in detail the man’s sexual encounters with various women. According to the author, the story had already been published on a blog about five years before appearing on Ir-Realtà last year.

On Tuesday, academics and authors appeared in the Magistrates’ Court to give their opinion on the piece deemed obscene and pornographic by the police.

Judgment in the case is expected in March.