A police inspector who has been suspended for two years pending criminal proceedings, this morning filed a judicial protest against the Police Commissioner, complaining that other policemen accused of more serious crimes had not been suspended.

Inspector Jeffrey Cilia is undergoing proceedings for having allegedly caused serious injury to two people in an incident in Paceville. He is pleading not guilty.

In today's protest, he said he has been a senior police inspector since 1999 and had been involved in the investigation of several serious cases.

In 2005 he was promised the post of Director of Prisons and promotion to Superintendent, but he had refused it.

Inspector Cilia said his suspension was illegal as he had not been given the opportunity to defend his case.

He said the case against him was being investigated by Asst. Commissioner Lawrence Cauchi who was a very close friend of the victims, who had made the allegations. Yet Mr Cauchi had never declared his conflict of interest.

Inspector Cilia said his suspension was preventing him for applying for promotion to superintendent. Indeed, he was not even notified of the call for applications.

He therefore requested his reinstatement in the police corps and eligibility to apply for promotion.

Dr Edward Gatt signed the protest.