Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1481540
2 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 OCTOBER 2022 2 NEWS Degiorgios insisted lawyer's withdrawal will hinder their defence in upcoming trial CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 They claimed their defence in the upcoming trial was go- ing to be hindered by the fact that their lawyer had recently renounced their brief. For the past five years, the De- giorgios had been represented by lawyer William Cuschieri. Their defence, at least initially, was funded by Yorgen Fenech, who stands indicted for organ- ising the murder. Cuschieri informed the tri- al judge last month that he was renouncing his brief. The brothers were subsequently as- signed legal aid lawyers, whom they initially refused to cooper- ate with. In a previous sitting, the legal aid lawyers Simon Micallef Sta- frace and Martin Farrugia had asked the court to issue an in- terim measure that would post- pone the jury and give them time to acquaint themselves with the mountain of evidence in this case. When the case was called on Tuesday afternoon, Madam Justice Audrey Demicoli read out her decision, denying the Degiorgios' request for an in- terim measure to suspend the upcoming jury, ordering them to bear costs. The accused nodded in what looked like resignation. The judge then adjourned the constitutional case to No- vember to hear the plaintiff's evidence, with legal aid lawyer Joseph Bonnici informing the court that he would have to consult with his clients to see whether they wished to file an appeal against the decision. Legal aid lawyer Joseph Bon- nici is representing the Degior- gios in the constitutional pro- ceedings. Lawyers Carina Camilleri Testa and Maurizio Cordina appeared for the AG and the State Advocate, respectively. Lawyers Therese Comodini Cachia, Jason Azzopardi and Eve Borg Costanzi appeared on behalf of the Caruana Galizia family. Minister defends Malta full-up narrative, says police mentality changing on migration NICOLE MEILAK CHANGES in the police corps are leading to a change in mentality on migration, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said on the three police constables charged with abducting and assaulting foreign nationals. On Tuesday, Camilleri defended past govern- ment rhetoric on Malta being "full up" with mi- grants, saying that it was justified at a time when large numbers of irregular migrants coming to Malta's shores was not sustainable. He said that many whistleblowing changes have been implemented in the police corps, with body cameras adding a level of transparency to police operations. "This change in mentality led to a person reporting the incident." "A positive aspect is that there were colleagues who filed a report when they saw this happen." Three police constables were charged between Sunday and Monday with abducting and assault- ing foreign nationals in the line of duty. All three pleaded not guilty to the charges but were denied bail. He said the corps should continue to work to make sure that such cases are reported immedi- ately. "In this case, I'm pleased with the police corps because all the necessary steps were taken." He said Malta's immigration policy is just one based on prevention, return, and repatriation. "I feel there's a need, as politicians, government, and authorities, to communicate more on immi- gration." "Racism and other related things come from a lack of information. It needs to be addressed in this way." Camilleri defended past government rhetoric on Malta being "full up" with migrants, saying that it was justified at a time when large numbers of irregular migrants coming to Malta's shores was not sustainable Byron Camilleri George and Alfred Degiorgio are accused of murdering Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017 A judge has rejected a request by George and Alfred Degiorgio to have their upcoming murder trial delayed • The two men are accused of assassinating Daphne Caruana Galizia