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4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 14 MARCH 2025 NEWS BANK of Valletta (BOV) has re- affirmed its commitment to the Gozitan community by support- ing of Fondazzjoni Arka, a foun- dation that has been providing essential services to some of the most vulnerable individuals in Gozo for over 30 years. Fondazzjoni Arka operates Dar Arka, a residential home and respite centre for individuals with disabilities. The foundation provides round-the-clock care, therapy, and support services, ensuring that those with physi- cal and intellectual disabilities, as well as their families, receive the assistance they need to lead dignified and fulfilling lives. Recognizing the importance of this work, BOV has supported the refurbishment of the foun- dation's dining room, creating a more welcoming and functional space for residents and service users. BOV's CSR representatives, Cleo Almerigo and Frances- co Grech, together with Gozo Branch Manager, Charmaine Borg, visited Dar Arka to meet with the foundation's manage- ment and discuss how the Bank can continue to support its ini- tiatives. The BOV team was also given a tour of the premises, wit- nessing firsthand how the Bank's donation has contributed to en- hancing the facility. Charmaine Borg emphasized BOV's commitment to commu- nity-driven initiatives, stating, "At BOV, we believe in being present in the communities we serve. We are a bank built by the people and for the people. Through our support for initia- tives like this, we ensure that we remain the bank of the commu- nity." The management of Fondazz- joni Arka expressed their grat- itude for BOV's generous con- tribution, highlighting that such support is crucial in sustaining their services. They also look for- ward to continued collaboration with BOV to further enhance the care provided to individuals who rely on Dar Arka's assistance. Through this initiative, BOV continues to make a tangible difference, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in building a more inclusive and supportive Gozitan community. BOV supports Fondazzjoni Arka Dar Arka residential home and respite centre in Ghajnsielem CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The requests, lodged towards the end of January, concerned the construction of a road in Nadur, a sports centre swim- ming pool and berthing spots at Mġarr Harbour. The appli- cations had indicated Camill- eri, Gozo Ministry Permanent Secretary John Borg, as well as architects Godwin Agius and Andrew Ellul as suspects. All applications were rejected by Magistrate Brigitte Sultana, who remarked that the prereq- uisites at law for such an inquiry to be kickstarted had not been satisfied. Indeed, it was noted that although the aim of an in- quiry is to preserve evidence, no evidence requiring preservation had been indicated. Moreover, it was held that the application made reference to a web of cor- ruption, money laundering and bribery without indicating how this took place. Reference was also made to the fact that not all offences mentioned in the requests car- ried a potential penalty of more than three years imprisonment. Ultimately, it was noted that whilst various journalistic ar- ticles had been presented so as to buttress the claims, the arti- cles did not amount to evidence but were merely the opinions of journalists. The requests were hence thrown out. Lawyer Stephen Tonna Low- ell represented Clint Camill- eri. Lawyer Charles Mercieca represented John Borg. Lawyer Matthew Xuereb represented Andrew Ellul. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi represented Godwin Agius. Azzopardi appeals decision Azzopardi has filed an appeal in the Criminal Court, arguing that the decree rejecting his re- quest for a magisterial inquiry was not issued by the magistrate who had initially been assigned with handling the requests. Azzopardi stated the ruling was authored by Magistrate Do- natella Frendo Dimech, despite previous indications that Mag- istrate Brigitte Sultana was han- dling the request. The claim is based on the elec- tronic document containing the decree that was emailed to Azzopardi by the courts. The document author was listed as Donatella Frendo Dimech, who was not the magistrate dealing with the inquiry requests. In his appeal filed on Wednes- day, Azzopardi argues this rais- es questions about the legal process and the reasoning be- hind the rejection. He said he consulted an IT professional, who confirmed that the docu- ment he received was indeed authored by the person whose name appeared on it. This ex- pert, while admitting he was not specialised in forensic infor- matics, assured Azzopardi that the document metadata con- firmed the name of Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech as its author. Documents seen by our sister newspaper MaltaToday show that the author of the document forwarded to Azzopardi was listed as Donatella Frendo Di- mech. This newspaper cannot independently confirm whether it was the magistrate who actu- ally authored the document. Azzopardi had filed three sep- arate requests for magisterial inquiries related to allegations of wrongdoing involving Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri. The requests, lodged towards the end of January, concerned the construction of a road in Nadur, a sports centre swimming pool and the distribution og berth- ing spots at Mġarr Harbour. All three requests were rejected by Magistrate Brigitte Sultana. The lawyer argued the decision to reject the inquiries places an unfairly high burden of proof on private citizens seeking justice, contradicting legal precedents where similar requests were ac- cepted. He insists that a magisterial inquiry is meant to gather evi- dence, not determine guilt, and that past cases—such as those concerning the Vitals hospitals deal and the Panama Papers— were launched on the basis of journalistic investigations and sworn statements. Azzopardi also raised con- cerns that the magistrate dis- missed press reports as mere opinion, despite government press releases being included as evidence. He questioned why official government figures, such as the increased cost of a public project in Gozo - from €9 million to €16 million - were not considered substantial enough to justify an inquiry. Another issue raised is the al- leged purchase of construction material from an illegal batch- ing plant in Gozo. Azzopardi argues that government ap- proval of such purchases impli- cates officials in illegal activity and should warrant an inquiry. He also noted that the Malta Development Association con- demned the operation of these unlicensed plants, yet the mag- istrate failed to acknowledge this. He is asking the court to over- turn the decision, maintaining that his request met all legal re- quirements. "This ruling creates a danger- ous precedent where only those with state resources can seek justice," he stated in his appeal. The appeal is scheduled to be heard at noon on Monday. Prime Minister reacts Meanwhile, Prime Minister Robert Abela criticised Azzo- pardi's request for two magis- trates to be investigated, calling it "an attack" on the judicial sys- tem. "I condemn it outrightly and will not allow it to happen, more so when it is coming from the person who is making it," Abela wrote in a Facebook post. He accused Azzopardi of forming part of the Nationalist Party's "extreme faction" and accused the party of double standards. "Because a magistrate did not decide as they wanted, in judi- cial acts they accused her of be- ing complicit in a criminal act," Abela wrote. Azzopardi questions decree dismissing inquiry requests Lawyer Jason Azzopardi stated the ruling was authored by Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech (inset) despite previous indications that Magistrate Brigitte Sultana was handling the request (Photos: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)