Court decision on Sandro Chetcuti expected this week

The law courts will this week deliver the decision in the criminal case against Sandro Chetcuti who stands charged with grievously injuring former GRTU director general Vince Farrugia.

The incident dates back to March 2010 and the original charges levelled against Chetcuti were of attempted murder. However the Attorney General later reduced the charge to that of grievous bodily harm.

In the early months of 2010, Farrugia was injured during an argument with the accused at the GRTU offices.

The case was riddled with allegations by the defence lawyers of exertion of influence on the police, media and politicians. Evidence given in court by a number of witnesses strongly contradicted that given by GRTU officials.

Controversial evidence given by the alleged victim himself led to the case being followed with heightened interest. Observers have different expectations on the outcome of the case and possible repercussions emerging from the evidence presented in court.

On Monday 9 September, former GRTU director Vince Farrugia resigned from office after 20 years of service. Farrugia said that at 69, he could no longer handle both the job of director while being an EESC representative in Brussels. GRTU council members forced a discussion on Farrugia's succession which resulted in the early termination of his 38,000-euro contract.