Momentum demands Attorney General’s resignation following high-profile acquittals

Momentum has called on Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg to resign following a series of acquittals and what it described as “recurring shortcomings in criminal prosecutions.”

In a statement issued on Sunday, the party pointed to acquittals in trials linked to the murders of Daphne Caruana Galizia and Lassana Cisse, as well as a recent case involving Maximilian Ciantar.

“Given the repeated shortcomings and the questions surrounding the performance of the prosecution system, Victoria Buttigieg should take institutional responsibility and resign,” Momentum executive member Matthew Agius said.

Referring to the Ciantar case, Momentum highlighted what it described as serious shortcomings identified by the court, including the prosecution’s failure to summon the main witness who allegedly saw Ciantar with a prohibited weapon at Mater Dei Hospital.

Instead, the prosecution relied on two witnesses who repeated what they had been told. Police also failed to inform Ciantar of his right to remain silent before questioning him, while the prosecution failed to establish that the weapon belonged to him.

Momentum also pointed to proceedings against Lorin Scicluna in connection with the murder of Lassana Cisse, noting that the prosecution had incorrectly specified the maximum sentence applicable to a separate offence of racially aggravated grievous bodily harm.

According to the party, the error ultimately restricted the sentence the court could impose.

“Such failures undermine Malta’s institutions responsible for upholding law and order and demoralise officers within the Malta Police Force,” Agius said.

“Public confidence in safety and security is weakened when perpetrators of serious crimes are not brought to justice.”

Momentum also called on government to urgently present a plan to strengthen the Prosecution Unit within the Office of the Attorney General, including measures to attract and retain highly qualified legal professionals.

The party said such a plan should include competitive salaries, improved working conditions, adequate staffing and administrative support, as well as opportunities for career development and progression.

Momentum further proposed introducing a transparent framework regulating the movement of lawyers between the prosecution office and private legal practice.

It argued that disclosure requirements, safeguards against conflicts of interest and appropriate cooling-off periods would help protect the independence and integrity of criminal prosecutions.