Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1479531
NEWS 5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 SEPTEMBER 2022 Father and son charged after suspected revenge attack related to fatal 2020 Mqabba shooting MATTHEW AGIUS TWO men have been charged in connection with an assault on one of the men accused of the 2020 fatal shooting of Saviour Gaffarena in Mqabba. Eugenio Gaffarena, 63, a pen- sioner from Qrendi and his unemployed 19-year-old son, Vince Gaffarena, from Mqab- ba were arraigned under arrest before magistrate Monica Vella earlier today, accused of inflict- ing grievous injuries on Roder- ick Debono on 18 September at around 1pm. Debono is understood to be re- lated to Leon Debono, one of the men accused of the 2020 murder of Saviour Gaffarena and the at- tempted murder of Vince Gaf- farena. 27-year-old Saviour Gaffare- na had been killed by a gunshot wound to the head as he sat in his car in Triq il-Konvoj ta' San- ta Marija, Mqabba on 29 July 2020. His cousin, 17-year-old Vince Gaffarena, had also been shot in the chest and the face in the same attack. Two men, Owen Schembri and Leon Debono, both from Mqab- ba, were subsequently charged with murder and attempted murder. Schembri was later granted bail. Eugenio Gaffarena pleaded not guilty to charges of grievous bodily harm, carrying a weapon - in this case, a sawn-off shot- gun during the commission of a crime, carrying the shotgun in public without a licence and uttering insults and threats to- wards Debono. Vince Gaffarena - who the court was told, is still receiv- ing treatment for the gunshot wounds he received two years ago was accused of complicity in these offences and illegally detaining the alleged victim. He, too, pleaded not guilty. Defence lawyer Noel Bianco asked for bail, arguing that the accused men had proven trust- worthy and had cooperated with the police investigation. He explained that the beating was connected to the fatal 2020 shooting in which one of the men charged today was severely injured. Inspector Janetta Grixti, pros- ecuting confirmed the defence's claim that the victim had not wanted to press charges, but explained that the police had to proceed in view of the grievous injuries suffered by the alleged victim. Grixti opposed the bail re- quest, in view of the fact that the victim had not yet testified, but confirmed that the accused men had cooperated with the police. Bianco submitted that this is "unacceptable" arguing that there were Constitutional judg- ments finding that this was not a valid ground to object to bail. The lawyer suggested a protec- tion order be issued in favour of Debono. The court denied bail at this stage but urged the prosecution to ensure that the alleged victim testifies in the next sitting. A recommendation that the direc- tor of Corradino prison ensured Vincent Gaffarena's ongoing medical treatment continued, was also dictated by the magis- trate. Vince Gaffarena (right) was shot in the face during his cousin Saviour Gaffarena's (left) murder in July 2020 Unions present united front on cost of living mechanism in exceptional circumstances LUKE VELLA UNIONS are presenting a united front on how the cost of living adjustment should be applied in exceptional circumstances such as the current situation. The Forum of Maltese Unions, General Workers Union, the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions, together with UHM Voice of the Workers have requested a meeting with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana to discuss their proposal. In a statement on Tuesday, the unions said that this initiative was being taken in light of the current unprecedented situation that led to a "record" COLA increase of around €10 in the next budget. The unions' proposal was not unveiled. "These unions which together represent thousands of workers will be coming togeth- er as one front to present a proposal through which the COLA mechanism will be able to address such circumstances, whilst ensuring that justice is done in the interest of the work- ers and employers," the unions said. They added that their proposal would be addressing anomalies that if not addressed would lead to issues in a few years' time. The unions said that the proposal was being made with "responsibility" towards their members and to safeguard the sustainability of jobs. "We look forward to sitting around a table as soon as possible so that we could address this challenge together," the unions concluded. Caruana said the cost of living adjustment would stand at around €10 per week in view of rising inflation fuelled by a combination of international factors, primarily the war in Ukraine. However, inflation in Malta remains below the EU average because government is subsidising energy and fuel to keep prices sta- ble. Without the subsidies, the COLA could be as high as €25 per week. When unveiling the pre-budget document last week, Caruana said subsidies to keep the prices of electricity, household gas, fuel and cereals stable will cost public coffers €470 million this year and more than €600 million in 2023. The Malta Employers Association had stat- ed that COLA should be capped at €6 for the next five years, arguing that €10 would nega- tively impact businesses.