Threats to Russian Embassy lead to more security

Mar 9 2022

The Russian Embassy in Malta has been receiving threats since the invasion of Ukraine, leading to it requesting security outside its Kappara premises.

A senior government source confirmed this to Times of Malta, saying that just like other embassies around the island, it has military presence outside its gate. With more patrols in the area, armed soldiers and a Land Rover were spotted outside the embassy on Wednesday.

This comes after a protest was held outside the embassy on Tuesday, lead by Repubblika, who held a life size cardboard cut out of Russian president Putin dressed as Adolf Hitler.

Foreign minister Evarist Bartolo also met the Russian ambassador Andrey Lopukhov to explain Malta’s position.

‘We summoned the ambassador and explained the positions we are taking in the United Nations and the EU, namely that we do not agree with the use of force or invasions to force a country to change its borders or change its security arrangements.

We uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter in terms of sovereignty, independence and the peaceful resolution of conflicts and we made that very clear’ he said.

Bartolo revealed he was aware of the threats and violent messages, with police even intervening into the case. A notice on the door of the Russian Cultural Centre states that its premises have been temporarily closed to the public since March 3rd.

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Photo Source: Jonathan Borg (Times of Malta), Repubblika

PL to start discussions on voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill patients

Mar 9 2022

Addressing a press conference, Labour Party deputy leader Daniel Micallef revealed that if the party is elected into government, a nation wide mature discussion on voluntary euthanasia would commence.

Micallef, alongside Deputy prime minister Chris Fearne revealed that this is something that the government wishes to tackle as it could help several people, despite it being very sensitive and considered quite taboo.

He said that it is a delicate topic and that different people have very different views on the topic – even those among Labour supporters. However, he promised that the decision would be taken following rigorous research and without politicising the issue.

He said that the party does not wish to simply throw around proposals, as the Opposition is doing. He insisted that the proposal will take into consideration public opinion as well as that of experts to ensure best possible outcomes.

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Man charged for secretly filming sexual acts with 15-year-old girl

Mar 9 2022

A 34-year-old man has been charged with producing child pornography after he secretly filmed sexual acts he committed with a 15-year-old girl against her knowledge.

The man, resident of Sliema, was charged with participating in sexual activities with an underaged person and was arraigned before Magistrate Nadine Lia today.

Inspector John Busuttil explained to the court that the police vice squad received a criminal complaint from the girl’s father after the accused sent a video of one of their sexual encounters to the girl.

The father filed a criminal complaint and handed the footage over to police, adding that the girl had been unaware of the fact she was being filmed. The defence asked the court to impose a ban on the publication of the accused’s name.

The court upheld the request for a ban on names which will remain in force for the duration of the criminal proceedings against the accused. The court case is still ongoing and no bail has as of yet been requested.

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License for first crematorium to be issued after election

Mar 9 2022

Addressing a press conference, health minister and deputy prime minister Chris Fearne announced that following the election, the license for crematorium will be issued if Labour are voted into government.

Crematorium services were allowed in Malta after the relevant law came into affect back in 2019 as spearheaded by Rosianne Cutajar. Malta had not allowed any form of human cremation beforehand despite repeated calls for alternatives to traditional burial.

This new law and, by extension, the license, will introduce a new alternative to burial but also allow people flexibility to decide what to do with the ashes.

Taking to Facebook, Cutajar expressed the satisfaction towards the announcement that following the election, the Labour Party will be issuing the fist licence to officially establish the first crematorium in Malta.

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Photo Source: Rosianne Cutajar FB, Chris Fearne FB