Abner Aquilina Stabbed Another Patient In Eye With Pen

Jun 18 2025

Abner Aquilina, the man awaiting trial for the rape and murder of Paulina Dembska, is now facing new accusations after allegedly stabbing another patient in the eye with a pen.

The incident took place in 2023 inside the forensic section of Mount Carmel Hospital, where Aquilina is being held.

During a recent court hearing, the victim, Charlo Cutajar, testified that Aquilina stabbed him in the right eye without warning.

He said the day before the stabbing, Aquilina had thrown dirt into their shared sugar container, but no argument had occurred between them.

Another patient, Mark Gatt, told the court he witnessed the attack. He said the stabbing happened while they were placing a purchase order in the ward. According to Gatt, Aquilina suddenly turned and struck Cutajar with a pen, and no reason for the assault was clear.

Aquilina, 22, was charged in 2022 with the r*pe and murder of 29-year-old Polish student Paulina Dembska.

#MaltaDaily

Sedqa Celebrates Successful Rehab Graduates

Jun 18 2025

A number of individuals were recently recognised for successfully completing a rehabilitation programme run by Agenzija Sedqa at the Santa Marija Community in Ħal Farruġ.

The event was organised by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) and held under the patronage of the President of Malta, Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono.

The ceremony celebrated personal achievements in overcoming addiction, while also highlighting success stories from Sedqa’s wider range of services, which support individuals dealing with various forms of dependency.

Tributes were also paid to other entities whose continued efforts contribute to a healthier society free from substance abuse.

President Spiteri Debono focused her speech on the theme Breaking the Chains, commending the participants for their strength, determination, and courage.

She praised their commitment to rebuilding their lives and returning to society as responsible individuals. The President also stressed the importance of prevention, awareness, and readiness in the face of emerging dependencies.

Furthermore, she acknowledged the dedication of Sedqa’s staff as well as the work carried out by other government and voluntary organisations involved in the rehabilitation sector.

Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights, Michael Falzon, shared that one of his first actions in his current role was to oversee the transformation of the Santa Marija Community.

He said the government believes in the potential of every individual, including those battling addiction. The stories of recovery, he noted, serve as a reminder of the importance of hope and resilience in shaping effective social policy.

FSWS Chief Executive Alfred Grixti reflected on the challenging road to recovery, describing rehabilitation as a long journey often marked by setbacks. He said it is a privilege for Sedqa to be entrusted with people’s lives and to guide them through personalised care programmes that help them rebuild their futures.

During the ceremony, residents of the community presented paintings that illustrated the contrast between their painful past and their newfound strength and hope in the present.

Sedqa, which was established in 1994, continues to provide essential support for individuals suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. Its services include prevention, therapy, and both outpatient and inpatient medical care.

The agency’s international reputation has grown in recent years through the presentation of research at conferences such as Lisbon Addictions 2024 and ISAM 2024.

#MaltaDaily

Malta Must Fix Gambling Law To Avoid EU Action, Says PN MEP

Jun 18 2025

MEP Peter Agius has urged the Maltese government to revise Bill 55 without delay, after the European Commission issued a formal letter of notice concerning the legislation. The law, introduced to protect Malta-based gambling companies from foreign court rulings — particularly from Austria and Germany — is being scrutinised for potentially breaching EU law.

The Commission’s letter marks the initial stage of infringement proceedings and could lead to action before the European Court of Justice should Malta fail to respond appropriately.

Concerned with @EU_Commission infringement action on bill55.

Calling on @MaltaGov to align with #EULaw asap and on the EC to act upon the other side of the coin – the TPLF jungle spurring doubtful court actions on gambling losses. @EUCssrMcGrath @steph_sejourne

— Peter Agius (@peteragius_eu) June 18, 2025

Agius welcomed the Commission’s move but emphasised the need for swift action to ensure the law complies with EU principles. In a tweet, he also called on the European Commission to address a wider concern: third-party litigation funding practices, which he said are driving collective legal actions against gambling operators based in Malta.

He described the situation as a “collapse of the internal market” and warned against fragmented regulation of the online gambling sector.

“The freedom of movement must prevail,” Agius concluded, noting that legal uncertainty threatens to undermine Malta’s standing within the EU single market.

#MaltaDaily

Malta Surpasses Petition Threshold For Safe Abortion Signatures

Jun 18 2025

According to the My Voice, My Choice campaign, Malta has just surpassed the national threshold of signatures for safe abortion.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by My Voice, My Choice (@myvoicemychoiceorg)

In Malta, where aborting is almost completely banned, had 4,278 signatures verified as correctly submitted. Malta was joined with Bulgaria who had 6,552 signatures.

The amount of errors detected was less than 5% despite the almost complete abortion ban.

#MaltaDaily