Two prison warders to be charged over inmate’s involuntary homicide

Sep 18 2021

Following the unfortunate passing of 29-year-old inmate Kim Borg Nicolas Virtu by suicide last June, two prison warders have been charged with involuntary homicide. Facing criminal proceedings before Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo, the two high-ranking officials will be charged over alleged failure to stick to protocols which led to the prisoner’s death. They will also be charged with committing a crime they were duty-bound to prevent on duty, with the involuntary homicide charge carrying a maximum prison term of four years or a €11,000 fine.

In an interview with Times of Malta, her father broke the silence to state that his daughter had been pushed far beyond her limit inside Corradino Correctional Facility. In a powerful video, Xarabank host Peppi Azzopardi recounts how Kim expressed and showed signs of wanting to commit suicide, was ignored and was also reported to have three broken ribs upon autopsy.

Azzopardi continued by saying that should the same leadership and management continue in Corradino, incidents such as this would continue to occur. He pointed to the suicide of Colin Galea, who followed Kim’s due to, what Peppi deemed, a failure by the establishment to address the inherent problems in the prison. He also appealed to prison officials to refuse orders of abusing prisoners should they be directed to them and encouraged anyone who can contact him to keep doing so so as to continue raising awareness about what reportedly happens in Corradino.

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Photo Source: Wikipedia, Peppi Azzopardi FB

Jason Azzopardi receives criminal complaint by judge over Facebook posts

Sep 17 2021

Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi received a criminal complaint from a sitting judge over comments published to Facebook. The comments were allegedly published on the day he was expected to deliberate on a bail request from Yorgen Fenech. The criminal complaint was filed by Judge Giovanni Grixti after he was outed as to having bought a boat from the father of the murder suspect Fenech back in 2008.

On the same day he was outed, Grixti was also expected to deliberate on bail for Fenech himself. The Police Commissioner and Attorney General dismissed the report as not criminal element was found.

Grixti’s impartiality in the case was doubted following the news of the boat purchase, with Azzopardi promptly taking to Facebook to express his understanding of the incident. He uploaded a photo of the yacht and captioned it with ‘do you have no shame?’. He pointed out how Grixti told former Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil in 2019 that the Panama Papers was all speculation.

Azzopardi’s comments were looked into after the Chamber of Advocates wrote to the Commission of the administration of Justice. Grixti had previously rejected Fenech’s request for bail. But Azzopardi’s comments led Fenech’s lawyers to write to Chief Justice. It all suggested that Azzopardi had tried to influence the judge’s decision before it had been taken.

In reaction, Nationalist MP Joseph Ellis, a lawyer like Azzopardi himself, expressed solidarity with the latter, stating that a ‘judge who loses his composure due to a post or allegation made by any person, even a lawyer, is not worthy to keep his seat on the bench of the judiciary, especially if the allegation is not true.’

Keith Schembri’s wife Josette in court over money laundering

Sep 17 2021

Wife of former chief of staff Keith Schembri, Josette Schembri Vella, was charged with money laundering offences related to her company on Friday. Linked to the company 3 City Designs, the transactions were set to have been carried out between 2008 and 2020. Inspector Leanne Bonello, who forms part of the anti money laundering team, stated the suspicious amount subject to the charges total to around €1.5 million.

Schembri Vella and the company are accused jointly of having converted or transferred property when they knew or suspected it was directly or indirectly acquired through criminal activity. They were also accused of having aced as accomplices to criminal activity.

The court agreed to give bail to Vella Schembri against a deposit of €10,000 and a personal guarantee of €40,000. Keith Schembri himself is facing charges of money laundering, criminal conspiracy, fraud and forgery but is currently undergoing medical treatment.

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€2 million investment for Marsa’s Spencer Garden announced

Sep 17 2021

Minister for the Environment Aaron Farrugia announced a €2 million investment into Marsa’s Spencer Garden. The Minister revealed how the investment will see the garden become a hub and recreational space for Maltese families and even tourists seeking local gems. This will be one of Malta’s biggest parks which, Farrugia announced, will be given back to the people of the locality and the rest of the island to enjoy.

Despite being a green project, a water element will also be included in the park to raise awareness and incorporate a vital aspect to the park. The Minister thanked the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) for their hard work on the area, and announced that the garden will start the process of being named after one of the pioneering environmentalists Guido Lanfranco, who passed away a few days ago. The garden will be protected and made to be self-sustainable through renewable energy.

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