Acting Police Commissioner denies attempts ‘to tamper with justice’

Acting Police Commissioner Ray Zammit has denied any attempts “to tamper with the justice system” after he failed to turn up in court for a libel case instituted by former EU representative to Brussels, Richard Cachia Caruana.

 Zammit was today fined €300 after Magistrate Francesco Depasquale found him guilty of contempt of court. Depasquale said the delivery of the judgment had been postponed for at least five sittings due to the absence of one of the parties.
The magistrate deplored the no-shows as "attempts to tamper with the justice system".

Zammit said that, three weeks ago, the prosecutor’s office had informed the Court that he was going to be abroad on work.

“I categorically deny any attempts to tamper with the justice system or in any way interfere with this case or any other case in court,” Zammit said in an official reaction this evening.

Zammit said the allegations impinged negatively on his primary duty as Acting Police Commissioner, given his responsibility to ensure the enforcement of law.

He also urged the Court to pass on any information it may have that Zammit was trying to tamper with justice, for the necessary investigation.

The Acting Police Commissioner also said that he would continue investigating these allegation to see if there were procedures which could be improved in the best interest of justice.

“The court finds this interference unacceptable and deplores the behaviour of the acting Police Commissioner and the accused,” the magistrate said this morning.
Depasquale observed that the libel case has been ongoing for 13 years and that the court could not deliver its judgment because of the Acting Police Commissioner's antics.
Aside from fining Zammit for contempt of court, the magistrate ordered him to ensure he notifies all parties for the next sitting.
He also ordered that the Home Affairs Minister be notified.”