|
Journalists demonstrate
In the first public event organised by the newly formed Journalists’ Committee, journalists and editors from various media organisations gather at Castille to express their opposition to the current spate of arson attacks against journalists and other individuals.
The journalists denounce the violence and also present a formal letter to the prime minister demanding swift police action to resolve the barbaric crimes against freedom of expression.
The letter is handed to Lawrence Gonzi’s private secretary Remigio Bartolo.
Monday, 15 May
Cabinet decides on Maltacom
Cabinet gives its final go-ahead for the sale of government’s 60 per cent shareholding in Maltacom to Dubai-based Tecom investments. The share sale is expected to rake in Lm95 million at a share price that is below market value.
Rapists charged
Two Libyan men are charged in court with the assault and rape of two young Swedish women at St George’s Bay in the early hours of Sunday.
Nader Abdulaziz Elgerian and Hasan Mohammed Ahmed, both 26, are charged under arrest and accused of illegally holding Sandra Vikstrom and Anny Teresia, known as Teresia Williams. They are further charged with violent indecent assault, theft and causing slight injuries to the women.
The police are still searching for other men involved in the crime.
Church condemns arson
The Maltese Church condemns the recent spate of arson attacks, insisting that violence will never hold the key to any solution.
In a statement, Archbishop Guzeppi Mercieca, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi and Auxiliary Bishop Annetto Depasquale say they were seriously perturbed by the acts of violence.
Tuesday, 16 May
Heroin possession
A 31-year-old man, Jason Busuttil, is charged with the possession of 12 grammes of heroin with the intent to sell. Magistrate Lawrence Quintano hears the Birkirkara man plead not guilty to the charges.
New Bugibba beach
The Malta Tourism Authority starts work on the creation of a 2,000-square metre sandy beach in Dawret Il-Gzejjer, in Bugibba. The works involve the construction of a containment structure for the beach, storm water and drainage management works, construction of a staircase, an 80 metre-long ramp to provide full accessibility, a beach management room, a life guard lookout post and public toilets.
Wednesday, 17 May
Maltacom sold off
The final deal between government and Tecom Investments is signed, officially handing over the State’s 60 per cent shareholding in the telecoms company to the Dubai investors. Government says that Tecom are the ideal strategic partners for Maltacom. The Dubai investors are bound to invest Lm30 million over the next three years, although it is unclear whether the investment is an injection of money by the new investors or simply a reinvestment programme by the company.
The new majority shareholders are also bound not to de-list the company for the next three years and they cannot increase or sell-off their shareholding.
The sale is criticised by both the Labour and Green parties for being on the cheap.
Thursday, 18 May
Harsher penalties for racism
A draft Bill proposing amendments to the Criminal Code make crimes of a racial nature subject to harsher penalties.
The Bill defines the term racial as including not just colour or creed but also crimes committed against a person assisting others of different beliefs. According to Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg if, for example, a case of arson is committed against someone assisting immigrants and it is proved that the attack was motivated by racism, the punishment would be harsher than a mere case of arson.
Man guilty of negligence
A man driving a safari jeep is found guilty of negligence and given a one-year jail term suspended for a year for seriously injuring three Maltese-Australian women and slightly injuring a fourth when he drove the vehicle up a ramp that lead straight to a one-storey drop.
The driver, Tunisian Marwen Ben Mustafa Allagui, 26, is guilty for failing to keep a proper look-out and even telling the victims there was no need to use a seat belt.
The accident occurred in July 2004.
Friday, 19 May
Skull find
The remains of a human skull are found at Bahar ic-Caghaq, in the same area that a badly decomposed headless body was found a couple of months ago. Police investigate the find.
TV rights
The Commission for Fair Trading orders Melita Cable plc to stop blocking the transmission of Italian television stations that could be freely accessed in Malta with the appropriate television aerial. The ruling comes into effect immediately and is valid for three months.
The decision means that Melita Cable won’t be able to block any World Cup games or Formula One races broadcast free to air on Rai.
The issue is also brought up in the Italian parliament by Maltese MP Arnold Cassola, who asks the Italian minister for communications to pronounce himself on the issue.
Saturday, 20 May
Illegal immigrants brought in
Around 45 immigrants are brought in by the Armed Forces after being spotted on the high seas on a rubber dinghy to the south of Malta. The immigrants are taken on board an AFM patrol boat and brought to shore.
|
