Democratic Party MPs Marlene and Godfrey Farrugia declared in court through their lawyer that they did not want to see a man who made Facebook threats against them sent to prison.
But they wanted to get the message across that such threats are becoming more frequent and should not be tolerated.
The declaration was made in court by lawyer Joseph Giglio, appearing parte civile for the couple.
Mario Baldacchino, 59, of Żejtun had been arraigned after he allegedly posted a threat on May 4 telling Marlene farrugia “Tibqax sejra hekk ghax qed thaffer qabrek.” (Don't persist or you're digging your own grave)
READ: Marlene Farrugia receives death threats on Facebook
Nobody is after his pound of flesh but today everybody is slightly more concerned and a bit more cautious, Dr Giglio said.
Dr Godfrey Farrugia today testified how on May 4, his birthday, he happened to come across the comment on his wife’s Facebook page.
“I felt that I could not let things go by,” he said.
Marlene Farrugia told him she was receiving threats every week by phone, email and other means and she no longer answered the phone. Her assistant took her calls.
He reported the matter to the police the following day. He also put up a post on his own Facebook page to rebut the threat.
That comment was spotted by Malta Today who put questions to the prime minister. Dr Muscat had said that such persons ought to be taken to court.
Marlene Farrugia had got accustomed to such threats, taking them as part and parcel of her life in politics, he said. But they both wanted to convey a message and sow the seeds of goodwill, Dr Farrugia said.
"This is what we get for doing our duty as politicians. Fear reigns inside the Farrugia household, every time a car stops outside our house. We do not want to let such threats go by unpunished yet at the same time we are willing to forgive."
Facebook was a useful tool but it could also be used wrongly, leading to unwanted consequences. The same applied here, Dr Farrugia said.
Dr John Bonello, assisting the accused, said he had known the man for past 10 years. His client had a habit of commenting on political issues. Marlene Farrugia was a public figure, and a controversial one too.
"If you can’t stand the heat, don’t become a cook," Dr Bonello remarked.
Besides, Mr Baldacchino’s comment was posted during the electoral campaign. “I myself get posts calling me traitor,” Dr Bonello said adding that he was also called a skip by the Nationalist Party.
Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, pointed out: “Are we to justify this behaviour by the wrongdoing of others? Is this Malta today?”
It was noted that in his comment the accused spoke of “grave” not political grave. He was not speaking metaphorically.
Dr Giglio said limits had been exceeded. If such an attitude continued to be allowed, it might encourage some hot-tempered individuals to carry out the threats.
The accused ready to apologise
Dr Bonello declared that his client wished to apologise for any harm caused, but he wanted to assure the court that the reference to grave had been metaphorical. However, he could not stop his client from commenting on Facebook.
The court said that nobody was going to stop him.
“No one is stifling your freedom of expression but people must learn to moderate their language.”
The case continues in January.