Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1484256
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 16 NOVEMBER 2022 NEWS NEWS MATTHEW VELLA PAUL R. Chetcuti, the self- styled leader of Malta's anti-vax motley crew of demonstrators, has a new conspiracy theory to vent. He once said government measures to control the 'false' COVID pandemic were "un- constitutional", "against hu- man rights", and even "state terrorism". Now he wants the Maltese state to investigate the con- trails left in the skies by air- liners, a conspiracy once em- braced by the Gaia Foundation, the environmental NGO led by another COVID-sceptic, Ro- dolfo Ragonesi. In a statement from the 'Free- dom Movement', Chetcuti in- sisted that the passing planes leaving these contrails were not "normal" airliners, and nei- ther simple condensation when the airplane passes through a cooler area. "Others are questioning if they are chemtrails or cloud seeds – geoengineering to al- ter weather – that we are sus- pecting that they are," Chet- cuti said, who filed a report at the Hamrun police station to request an investigation into what he claims are 'chemical trails'. But Chetcuti was re- buffed by police who said they were unable to investigate an airborne incident that is be- yond their jurisdiction. "The sole alternative we have in hand is to write these con- cerns and sending them to all Maltese representatives in par- liament... to open up an inves- tigation and respond to Mal- tese and Gozitan answers in the name of democracy," Chet- cuti said. "Are they special planes that are equipped with specific ma- terials/liquids for a specific mission related to climax [sic] change? What type of materi- als/chemicals are they leaving behind The word "chemtrails" has been linked to conspiracy the- ories sinister forces believed to be spraying the population with dangerous chemicals for purposes that are neither en- tirely clear nor consistent. While the theory has long been in circulation, the BBC notes that a surge in conspiratorial thinking following the COV- ID pandemic along with the summer travel season and clear skies mean "the once obscure chemtrails theory is now being promoted by major influencers." Far from sinister, conden- sation trails, or contrails, are simply what happens when the chemistry of burning jet fu- el meets the chemistry of air. Contrails are formed when water vapour and fine soot particulates from burning jet fuel freeze into ice crystals. In higher humidity, they do not immediately dissipate and can be seen as visible vapour trails. The idea that shadowy forc- es are spraying the planet with chemicals took hold in the 1990s. Initially, believers claimed sprays containing a toxic met- al, barium, were being used to either pacify or reduce popula- tions. But the idea evolved along the way, meaning today there are several strands of the chemtrail theory. False allegations have trended so frequently this year that fact-checking charity Full Fact has posted 10 debunks since April. Maltese anti-vaxxers turn to another conspiracy theory: chemtrails Paul Chetucti THE police force has confirmed Deputy Police Commissioner Alexandra Mamo will be retiring from active duty after months of speculation. "Deputy Commissioner Dr Alex- andra Mamo will be retiring from the Malta Police Force, following a sterling career spanning over 30 years of service to the Malta Police and the country," a police spokes- person told MaltaToday. Last Sunday MaltaToday re- ported that Mamo had been on long leave for at least three months. Sources said she was quickly becoming more frustrat- ed with criticism levelled against her in the media. Just last week, NGO Repubblika criticised Attorney General Vic- toria Buttigieg, Mamo and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà for "performing summersaults" not to obey the order given to them by Magistrate Ian Farrugia in the Pilatus Bank case. The police spokesperson said Mamo always served the various roles at the police force in a pro- fessional manner, and was even recognised for her service within the force by foreign institutions. He also said that Mamo did not present a resignation letter, how- ever, she applied for retirement as per procedure. Police officers are entitled to retire on full pen- sion after 18 years of service in the police corps. Mamo was the first female dep- uty police commissioner and led the revamped Finance Crimes Investigation Department over the past two years. On her watch, the FCID prosecuted several high profile money laundering cases but Mamo has come under fire over the handling of some cases, including the one concerning Pi- latus Bank and its top officials. Sources say public criticism against Mamo was among the reasons for her decision to step down from deputy police commissioner post Police force confirms deputy chief Alexandra Mamo is retiring Alexandra Mamo