Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1494132
5 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 MARCH 2023 Co-funded by the European Union Vacancy PROJECT COORDINATOR (Jobsplus Permit No: 686/2022) A vacancy for the post of Project Coordinator has arisen within NCPE, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, as part of the project 101083556 Strengthening Knowledge on Integration and Non- Discrimination (SKIN). This post is equivalent to Public Service Salary Scale 7. The selected candidate will be expected to enter into a full-time definite contract (expiring in October 2024). Visit the NCPE's website to read the job description: https://ncpe.gov.mt/en/Pages/Vacancies.aspx Interested persons should send their application together with a detailed CV to the Executive Director via email on equality@gov.mt by not later than Friday 17th March 2023. Late submissions will not be considered. NCPE Gattard House, National Road, Blata l-Bajda ĦMR 9010 Tel: 2276 8200 E-mail: equality@gov.mt Web: www.ncpe.gov.mt Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme 2021-2027 Project part-financed by the European Union Co-financing rate: 90% EU funds; 10% National Funds KARL AZZOPARDI The Corradino Correctional Facility director Chris Siegers- ma has skirted questions on the decision to grant Daph- ne Caruana Galizia murderer George Degiorgio prison leave to attend a baptism party. Siegersma and the home af- fairs ministry are refusing to engage with the press on nu- merous requests for answers that can clarify the circum- stances in which Degiorgio – whose own billed him as 'the head of the Maltese mafia' on his social media channels – was granted prison leave so soon since he was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Malta was enraged when im- ages uploaded online showed Degiorgio posing for photos with a drink in hand, surround- ed by family members. The baptism took place at the Basil- ica of St Paul in Rabat at 5pm and Degiorgio attended a party at Giardini Villambrosa. Degiorgio's lawyers Leslie Cuschieri and Noel Bianco filed an application on 16 Feb- ruary for Degiorgio to attend the family event. Although the General Attorney objected, two court decrees eventually granted him permission, after an appeal. The Criminal Court presided by Judge Edwina Grima agreed to his attendance, subject to him being accompanied by correctional officers the whole time and that he returns to prison at 9pm. The Court of Criminal Ap- peals presided by Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti, and judges Jo- seph R. Micallef and Giovanni Grixti did not find any objec- tion. The court argued that ever since Degiorgio was already serving a prison sentence, it could not object to his attend- ence, subject to the approval, discretion and the conditions of the Director of the Correc- tional Services Agency. Questioned on which criteria was Degiorgio's prison leave approved, newly appointed CCF director Chris Siegers- ma refused to detail whether it was him, or his predecessor Robert Brincau who made the decision. "As it is in the public domain, in the case you are re- ferring to there was a clear di- rection by the court," the reply read. Photos uploaded to social media showed the convicted hitman with an alcoholic drink in his hand. Asked whether in- mates out on prison leave were allowed to consume alcohol, as is clearly depicted in the pho- tos featuring George Degior- gio, and whether he was dis- ciplined, the director did not answer the questions. According to the prison reg- ulations, a prisoner shall be guilty of an offence against dis- cipline if they abuse of drugs and drink alcohol. "Security protocols are always followed and searches are done upon re-entry according to es- tablished protocols," was the prison director's answer. Questions on the security de- tail which escorted the career criminal were left unanswered. Prison Director does not say whether Daphne Caruana Galizia killer George Degiorgio was disciplined for consuming alcohol when out on prison leave Total silence from CCF, home affairs ministry on prison leave CCF director Christopher Siegersma George Degiorgio