Partit Demokratiku lambasts Bogdanovic inquiry as ‘political spin’

An inquiry into how footballer Daniel Bogdanovic was granted early police bail in time to play a Sunday match was nothing but “political spin”, the Partit Demokratiku (PD) has said.

The inquiry confirmed that the chief of staff of parliamentary secretary Ian Borg, Jesmond Zammit, had called Assistant Police Commissioner Carmelo Magri because as the coach of Xewkija Tigers, he felt “it was his duty” to inquire about his player’s arrest.

However, it found no evidence of political pressure having been exerted on the police to release Bogdanovic.

“The conclusion is a contradiction in itself where it is admitted that [Zammit] made direct inquiries to the police assistant commissioner regarding the arrest,” PD deputy leader Anthony Buttigieg said in a statement. “This started a chain of events that ultimately led to Bogdanovic’s release.”

He also questioned why the inquiry was led by retired AFM commander Carmel Vassallo, and not a magistrate or ex-senior ranking police officer. 

“We express the belief, also shared by the general public, that this was an exercise in political spin and damage control and the conclusion a political fudge to protect the careers of those close to the hierarchy of the Labour Party,” Buttigieg said. “We condemn the increasing lack of accountability and respect for state institutions practiced by the current Government and those close to it and urge those in power to take a step back and strengthen the rule of law rather than manipulate it.”

Bogdanovic, 36, used to play in the UK Championship for Barnsley, Sheffield United and Blackpool, as well as for the Malta national team. He was arrested on 29 October at 7pm when his wife filed a report at the Rabat police station, together with her brother Ferdinando Apap, over a threatening SMS she had received, and because Bogdanovic had pointed a gun to her face and, in another incident, threw an electric fan at her – accusations that Bogdanovic denied later.

However, as revealed by MaltaToday, he was released from police custody the following morning – in time for Xewkija’s match against Kercem.