Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1207647
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 FEBRUARY 2020 NEWS Senior Technical Officer - ICT • A-level in ICT or a relevant recognize qualification in ICT at MQF level 4 or higher • Able to speak in both Maltese and English • One (1) year of experience in ICT systems support administration. Job Title: Qualifications: Experience: JOB VACANCY MAIN JOB PURPOSE: Responsible and oversee the day to day running of the Computers, Telephone Network Infrastructure and Network services and to ensure that they function smoothly. The job holder will be supervising the available resources (human, material and systems) in the diagnosing, maintaining and repairing, digital equipment and / or any ICT related Hardware pertaining to Lands Authority related parties and reporting status and analysis. Jobsplus permit no. 33/2020 Closing Date: 17th February 2020 https://landsauthority.org.mt/about-us/careers/ Court orders man be released from illegal arrest at Mount Carmel MATTHEW AGIUS A magistrate has ordered the immediate release from Mount Carmel Hospital of a man who had been detained there against his will. Lawyer Jason Grima, acting on behalf of 57-year-old Mark Privitera, filed habeas corpus proceedings after Privitera was de- tained following what appears to be a mis- understanding of a suggestion by his proba- tion officer. Habeas corpus proceedings are a legal remedy used in cases of illegal arrest. In 2019, Privitera had pleaded guilty to at- tacking police officers who visited his home to speak to him about a neighbour's har- assment claim. At the time, the court had placed him under a three-year probation order and a three-year treatment order un- der the care of a psychiatrist who would be directed by the man's probation officer. Things were going smoothly until, on 9 January, the man's probation officer filed a court application bringing the court's at- tention to "facts of a serious nature, which according to that court merited being ad- dressed effectively." In that application, which was upheld by the court, the proba- tion officer had asked that an order be is- sued, allowing Privitera to benefit from fur- ther care at Mount Carmel Hospital. Subsequently, on 13 January, his lawyer said, the police had arrested the man and took him to the mental institution. This in- stead of notifying the man and giving him a chance to make submissions. The court could not amend a probation order if the subject of the order had not expressed his willingness to comply with the order as amended, Grima argued. Neither could the court impose residen- tial treatment for Privitera, he added and the court observed that in the decree, this was not in fact imposed. Rather, what the probation officer had requested was that the man "benefit from additional care at Mount Carmel Hospital." This hospital offers several care services, including outpatient treatment, pointed out the lawyer. Magistrate Charmaine Galea did not mince her words as she upheld the man's action. "This court cannot understand how the fact that the court had upheld that re- quest was interpreted to mean that he should be arrested and taken against his will to Mount Carmel Hospital." The magistrate also pointed out that the law clearly stated that in order to vary a Treatment Order, the court had to hear all the parties first. Failing to abide by such an order carried with it a penalty of €7,000 or up to two years in prison, observed the court, saying it was therefore essential that one be aware of any variation to such an or- der and be given the opportunity to make submissions in this regard. The court said it understood the proba- tion officer's concerns and had done what she did in the best interest of the man, but on the other hand it had emerged that things had not been done as they should have been done. For this reason the court ordered Privit- era's immediate release from the hospital. The magistrate also recommended that the professionals treating the man continue to administer the treatment he needed.