[attach id=430960 size="medium"]The injuries Jean Paul Aquilina sustained.[/attach]

Two policemen from the Rapid Intervention Unit are to face criminal charges over an allegation they “brutally attacked” a driver in Mġarr last month, a court heard yesterday.

The accusation was made by Jean Paul Aquilina, 24, from Mosta, who is himself charged with dangerous driving, assaulting police officers, resisting arrest and disobeying their orders.

During the compilation of evidence in the case against Mr Aquilina, Assistant Police Commissioner Mario Spiteri said an internal policy inquiry had concluded that criminal charges ought to be brought against the two RIU officers, David Camilleri and Mark Tonna. He did not say what the two officers would be charged with.

Three doctors testified yesterday on the nature of the injuries sustained by the officers and driver.

PC Camilleri was found to have five scratches measuring between one and four centimetres long. PC Tonna had a small bruise on his right knee and redness on the nasal bridge.

Mr Aquilina had a laceration under his eye and bruises on his face, the doctor who examined him said, adding that he referred him to hospital for examination of the nose and skull in case there were internal injuries. There were no fractures.

Under cross examination, the doctors said the scratches to the officers’ elbows and knee could have been sustained while trying to restrain someone on the ground.

The inspector should not be blinkered but should work hard to find out the whole truth and nothing but the truth

Another policeman, Sergeant Kevin Camilleri, was only two minutes away when he heard a call for assistance on the police radio. He testified that at no point did he see anyone receive or deal any blows.

He saw a man and a police officer “tangled” and another police officer trying to separate them.

Although it was dark, he could see that Mr Aquilina was red in the face and had bloodshot eyes. He managed to handcuff Mr Aquilina and told the other officers to back off.

A blonde woman – Mr Aquilina’s girlfriend – was screaming and telling the police not to beat up her boyfriend. She pulled at an officer’s uniform told him: “You should be ashamed of yourselves,” the sergeant testified.

He said a number of police cars responded to the call for assistance, including a police Land Rover that drove all the way to Mġarr from Paceville. There were at least 11 officers on site.

Mr Aquilina’s defence lawyer, Mario de Marco, said that in view of the outcome of the police internal inquiry, the prosecution ought to see whether it wanted to review the charges brought against his client.

“The inspector should not be blinkered but should work hard to find out the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” he said.

Prosecuting Inspector Nicholas Vella replied that he had until the end of the case to vary the charges, if required.

The case, presided over by Magistrate Carol Peralta, continues next week.

Lawyers Aaron Mifsud Bonnici and Abigail Critien appeared parte civile for the officers and on behalf of the Police Officers’ Union, which is affiliated with the General Workers’ Union, after the court ruled they had the right to be represented.

Inquiry distorted and vitiated, says GWU

The General Workers’ Union claimed the internal inquiry into the incident was “distorted and vitiated”.

In a letter sent to Police Commissioner Michael Cassar, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb condemned the advice the officers are claiming to have received from three police inspectors who criticised their decision to involve the Police Officers’ Union (affiliated to the GWU) to defend them.

Mr Zarb claimed that Inspectors Ramon Mercieca, Jesmond Micallef and Geoffrey Azzopardi told the officers that involving the union would make the issue “political” and would blow the matter out of proportion. They also told them that if they were in the same situation, they would not involve the union but have their own “independent” lawyers to represent them.

Mr Zarb further stated that the high-ranking officers told the two RIU policemen not to let anyone use them or their case, taking this as a direct reference to the Police Officers’ Union which is affiliated to the GWU.

He said such comments were “unacceptable” and called on the Commissioner to ensure that police officers are given full rights to join a union of their choice, according to the legal notice that was issued earlier this year.