Appeals Court confirms bail for David Gatt

The Attorney General argued that Gatt was a “high risk suspect” who had a long list of serious charges against him, including criminal association and also attempted to silence a witness.

Dr. Lara Lanfranco who appeared for the Attorney General stressed that there was also strong evidence that indicated that David Gatt had a number of connections with known criminals.

Countering the arguments brought by the Attorney General’s Office, defence counsel Edward Gatt stressed that it was wrong for the AG to go into the substance of the case during consideration of bail.

He said that the evidence brought about by the prosecution against his client was based on what a witness – PC99 Mario Portelli – alleged about Gatt, and while the witness had a criminal record, the accused did not.

He denied any obsession with the Mafia as alleged by the prosecution, stating that the discovery of a board game about the Mafia or a DVD about Toto Riina did not make his client untrustworthy.

After hearing submissions and suspending the sitting, Michael Mallia returned and decided to confirm bail.