Karl Stagno Navarrra: ‘I am not a troll but a Labour supporter’

Karl Stagno Navarra called himself a Labour supporter when testifying in a hate speech case against Andrew Borg Cardona over a post suggesting Labour trolls should be euthanised.

Stagno Navarra had filed a police report, denouncing Borg Cardona’s Facebook post, which read: “Can we make euthanasia compulsory for Labour trolls?”

The former ONE TV anchor-man told the court that the post made a clear reference to partisan beliefs and thus constituted hate speech.

Stagno Navarra said Borg Cardona, a lawyer by profession, maintains an active Facebook presence and has frequently made public statements. Stagno Navarra was stopped repeatedly throughout his testimony over references to other posts by Borg Cardona that had nothing to do with the statement under the spotlight.

Borg Cardona’s comment was made in the context of an ongoing national debate on the introduction of euthanasia, which was subject to a public consultation. Stagno Navarra argued that the report had not been filed on one isolated case, suggesting that Borg Cardona’s euthanasia post was the culmination in a series of posts. The court was told that approximately 3,000 people reacted negatively to Borg Cardona’s post.

Borg Cardona’s lawyer intervened, cheekily suggesting that the witness “liked to hear his own voice”.

Stagno Navarra was asked what he understood by the term “Labour trolls”. He replied that Borg Cardona regarded anyone who supports the Labour Party as a “troll”.

During cross-examination, Stagno Navarra was asked by Borg Cardona’s lawyers whether he considered himself to be a Labour troll. “I am not a troll but a person who supports the Labour Party,” Stagno Navarra replied.

Magistrate Gianella Camilleri Busuttil presided over the sitting.

Lawyers Jason Azzopardi, Kris Busietta and Alessandro Farrugia appeared for Andrew Borg Cardona. Lawyer Rachel Tua represented Karl Stagno Navarra.

Inspector Roderick Attard prosecuted.