Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1499951
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 MAY 2023 NEWS Muscat says Magistrate Gabriella Vella will let him testify in hospitals inquiry CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 In a Facebook post on Tues- day, Muscat said that she decid- ed against the request unilater- ally and without a hearing. "She did so without a hear- ing since, according to her, the open support by her fami- ly members towards those re- questing the inquiry and their expressed view on the matters being investigated, do not ham- per her impartiality." Muscat criticised her for ig- noring his requests to testify in the inquiry. "She has only now considered these requests after the situation escalated in an un- acceptable manner." "To be clear, I asked Magis- trate Vella to relinquish her role because of continuous leaks from the inquiry, the way she ignored my requests to testi- fy, and the opinions expressed by her father and brother on the matter being investigated, which surely have an effect on the way in which the adminis- tration of justice is perceived." "I will take all the necessary steps to ensure that the process, in which I have lost almost all trust, does not end up a political theatre as some intend it to be, but rather a process according to the rule of law." Muscat filed the legal request demanding the magistrate's recusal a day after a joint investigation from The Times of Malta and its partners revealed the role of a former Vitals Global Healthcare company in Switzerland, to receive pay- ments from concessionaires Steward, and to pay out consul- tancy fees to Muscat after he resigned in the 2019 politi- cal crisis. Muscat has denied knowing that VGH Eu- rope, later Accutor, was receiving any payments from Steward – succes- sors to the hospitals' first concessionaire Vitals Glob- al Healthcare. He insists he received fees from Accutor for services rendered to it. KARL AZZOPARDI RELEAF, an NGO that favours cannabis legalisation, has called out the "fear-mongering tactics" used by Nationalist MPs during a parliamentary debate on Monday. "Using stigmatizing language only serves to perpetuate stere- otypes and further marginalize individuals who use cannabis for various purposes, includ- ing medicinal, therapeutic, and personal reasons," the NGO said. On Monday, parliament was debating a legislative amend- ment allowing the ARUC – the regulatory body on cannabis as- sociation licensing – to issue ad- ministrative fines related to the substance. Nationalist MPs Claudette Buttigieg, Graziella Attad Previ and Albert Buttigieg insisted the enactment of the law regularis- ing cannabis has created a "free- for-all" culture. Claudette Buttigieg even made an unsupported claim about a service guide dog getting high from second-hand cannabis smoke. The NGO said it firmly be- lieves in an open, informed and evidence-based discussions when it comes to cannabis re- form. "It is essential to focus on facts, research, and the experiences of individuals who have benefited from cannabis use, rather than relying on baseless claims de- signed to create fear and confu- sion," it said. It urged policymakers and those engaged in the debate to adopt a more compassionate and informed approach. "Let us prioritize understand- ing, empathy, and scientific evidence to shape policies that benefit society as a whole." "As a community, we must continue to challenge stigmati- zation and educate others about the potential benefits of canna- bis. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, we can dismantle the harmful nar- ratives surrounding cannabis and promote a more progressive and compassionate approach to drug policy," Releaf said. MATTHEW AGIUS A man who assaulted po- lice officers and damaged a motorcycle while drunk last Friday will not be allowed to leave Malta before paying a €5,000 fine and €1,711 for re- pairing the damage he caused. British software developer Hugh David Templeton 39, who is in Malta on holiday, pleaded guilty to charges re- lating to being drunk and bel- ligerent at a Buskett party dur- ing the night between the 19th and 20th of May. He also admitted to charges of breaching the peace, as- saulting three police officers and causing €1,711 worth of damage to a woman's motor- cycle. The violent behaviour con- tinued later that night at Ma- ter Dei Hospital, where he threatened three other police officers and violently resisted them. Arraigned before Magistrate Astrid May Grima on Tues- day, Templeton confirmed his admission of guilt a second time, after being given time to confer with his lawyer. Prosecuting officer Inspec- tor Roderick Agius did not insist on a custodial sentence, recommending a fine and suspended term of imprison- ment. Lawyer Martin Farrugia, who was appointed to assist the de- fendant as legal aid counsel, agreed. The lawyer told the court that the defendant was sorry for his actions, which he described as out of character and "an unfortunate incident precipitated by intoxication". There was no bad intent or character on the part of the defendant, insisted the lawyer, arguing that the man should be handed a fine "at the lower end of the spectrum". The magistrate retired to chambers to view the docu- ments submitted after hearing the parties' submissions on punishment. Upon returning around fif- teen minutes later and de- claring Templeton guilty on his own admission, the court sentenced him to imprison- ment for one year, suspended for three years, also imposing a fine of €5,000. He was also ordered to pay to the woman for the damages he had caused. "He cannot leave the island before he pays everything," said the magistrate in reply to the defence lawyer's request for the man's passport. Releaf slams 'fear-mongering tactics' used by PN MPs during parliamentary debate Software developer fined for assaulting police and damaging motorcycle Magistrate Gabriella Vella Releaf says it is essential to focus on facts and research