“This Is Not The Malta I Want To Live In,” Says Justice Minister Following Lassana Cisse Murder Verdict

Justice Minister Clifton Grima has spoken out following the acquittal of former soldier Lorin Scicluna in the murder of Lassana Cisse, stating that the verdict did not reflect public sentiment.

Speaking to journalists outside Parliament on Monday, Grima described Cisse's killing as something that does not represent Maltese values.

“This is not the Malta I want to live in,” Grima said, stressing that Cisse was an innocent man who had been killed through no fault of his own.

His comments came a day after a nine-person jury found Scicluna not guilty of murdering Cisse, a 42-year-old father of two from the Ivory Coast who was shot dead while walking home in Ħal Far on 6th April 2019.

Scicluna was acquitted of murder by eight votes to one, alongside three attempted murder charges. However, he was found guilty of grievously injuring May Malimi in a separate incident aggravated by racial hatred, and using a vehicle without registration plates.

The verdict sparked public outrage and renewed calls to reform Malta's jury system.

However, despite acknowledging that the verdict did not reflect public sentiment, Grima believes the jury system should remain in place for now.

He described it as one of the most democratic ways for ordinary citizens to participate in judicial decisions, arguing that the Maltese public has the ability to reach verdicts even in difficult cases.

While acknowledging that controversial verdicts have occurred over the years, Grima questioned what system would replace juries if they were abolished.

The Minister said he would be open to discussing reforms, including allowing jurors to explain the reasoning behind their verdicts, as happens in some other countries.

He also raised the possibility of discussing a system where professional judges sit alongside jurors when deciding cases.

However, Grima stressed that changes should be introduced at the right time rather than rushed in response to individual verdicts.

As Justice Minister, he said he has a responsibility to take reform decisions when necessary, pointing out that several reforms have already been implemented and insisting he would not shy away from further changes.

Grima also expressed confidence in the Attorney General's Office while acknowledging the different stages involved in criminal proceedings.

#MaltaDaily