In the Press: Teacher pleads not guilty to murder of student | Busuttil to sue L-Orizzont for libel

The Times of Malta

The Lisa Maria Zahra case takes centre stage on The Times’ front page, as it does on those of the other newspapers. Yesterday’s arraignment of Erin Tanti, the 23-year old supply teacher who was found at the foot of Dingli cliffs with the 15-year old’s lifeless body two weeks ago, has been the source of much speculation. The Zahra family released a statement after the court proceedings – during which Tanti pleaded not guilty to the murder of Zahra – saying that they would allow justice to take its course. Tanti was remanded in custody.

In-Nazzjon

President of the European Parliament Martin Shulz has been accused of editing out part of a report, carried out by the European Parliament Committee on Budgets, which cast his leadership in a negative light. The report revealed that members of this Committee were called to the Belgian courts to testify in the case against John Dalli. Dalli at the time was European Commissioner of Health and now holds a government consultancy at Mater Dei. The report accused Shulz of not informing committee members of this invitation and of postponing the hearing several times. Shulz is a candidate for the post of President of the European Commission. 

L-Orizzont

In three days’ time, the government’s promise of immunity from legal proceedings for those who come forward with information on the smart meter scandal expires. After this time, L-Orizzont reports, the government is preparing new regulations that would increase the fines for electricity theft to deter further theft.

The Malta Independent

Following reports yesterday from the newspaper L-Orizzont, Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil announced that he would be suing the newspaper for what he called ‘blatant lies’. The newspaper published an alleged copy of Busuttil’s income declaration, showing that he did not declare income received during his time as head of Europa Research and Consultancy Services, at a time when the company had received more that €1 million in direct orders from the government. Busuttil accused L-Orizzont of joining forces with the PM to tarnish his reputation. Busuttil published the audited ERCS accounts because, he said, he ‘has nothing to hide.