A group of people, the vast majority of whom idolised slain blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia and well known for their PN sympathies, led by Nationalist Party exponents Michael Briguglio, PN councillor Manwel Delia of Arriva fame, and Andrew Borg Cardona, who once stated that his DNA is different to that of Labour people, and who call themselves Civil Society Network have decided to hijack a national monument – the Great Siege Monument in front of the law courts, which is dedicated to the fallen of the Great Siege of Malta and turn it into a ‘shrine’ for the murdered blogger.

It has already been weeks since this hijack took place and the authorities have not said or done anything. I wonder what would happen if, say, another group of people hijack another national monument, say, the one dedicated to the fallen of June 7, 1919, at St George’s Square, quite close to the Great Siege Monument, and turn it into a reminder of the vicious attacks Caruana Galizia used to unleash, not just on those who may have deserved criticism but also on innocent people who happened to be family members or friends of the people she targeted, including children.

In my opinion, those who are behind this hijack of the Great Siege Monument have done this to provoke a reaction or, worse, a confrontation with the police. They could then use this to foment more anti-government propaganda both locally and in Europe, if not also around the world.

Ironically, these are the same people who have, for years now, been vociferously calling for the rule of law to be upheld in our country. Yet, they are the first to who have flouted the rule of law a number of times when they held their protests in Valletta, in front of the law courts, at Castille Square and in front of the police headquarters, in Floriana.