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The government has stressed it is taking the crime of racial hatred seriously, despite the absence of the prosecution in the case against far-rightist Norman Lowell, who stands accused of inciting racial hatred.
Polices sources yesterday said that following the indefinite deferral of the case on 4 May by Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, after the prosecuting inspector failed to be present, the police force has presented an application for the case to be reappointed.
A spokesman for the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs reiterated the government’s commitment on the issue: “The government takes racial hatred very seriously. Last Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg announced amendments to the criminal code which will make crimes of racial hatred subject to harsher penalties.” The draft bill defines the term racial as including not just colour or creed but also crimes committed against a person assisting others of different beliefs.
Prosecuting officer Superintendent Peter Paul Zammit was absent from three sittings for the case, although police sources said three other police inspectors were present in these cases. “Lowell was found guilty of contempt of court last year for not turning up for his hearing, but the decree was revoked in the next sitting when he justified his absence. The court then put off the case three times to tender a decision on pleas submitted by Lowell.”
On 16 March the court put off the case for the 4 May on a request made by Lowell’s legal counsel, informing the court his deposition would be a lengthy one. On 4 May, Inspector Kevin Borg appeared for the prosecution but the court, out of its own motion ordered that case was to be put off sine die.
“The prosecution was always represented for each and every hearing either by the prosecuting officer or by another competent police officer. It is worth mentioning that the prosecution concluded its evidence on 30 June 2005 and since then the case has been adjourned on several occasions on pleas raised by the defence counsel.”
Commissioner of Police John Rizzo yesterday reacted to MaltaToday’s coverage of the arson at the residence of Daphne Caruana Galizia last week by stating the police was treating the attacks with “maximum attention, abundance of energy and integrity”.
Rizzo said his investigators were “highly professional seasoned officer” who have already been instrumental in solving many serious criminal cases in their career.
Four inspectors are currently investigating the attacks, together with their respective investigating teams, which each include three police officer, who are solely investigating the arson cases. He said investigations were being conducted in a relentless manner to come to the earliest possible conclusions and restore peace of mind.
“The Police are exploring all possible avenues which could lead to the identity of the arsonists, but regrettably so far with negative outcome,” Rizzo said in a statement.
Rizzo also confirmed that several people had been arrested, and others interview at length, including members of Norman Lowell’s Viva Malta internet forum.
“They are doing all that could be humanly possible done and will not stop from doing so unless these cases are solved and the malefactors brought before the Courts.”
Rizzo added that the successful conclusion of an investigation into the arson of a garage door in Birkirkara this week did not result in any way linked to the other arson cases.
mvella@mediatoday.com.mt
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