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2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 1 OCTOBER 2025 NEWS MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt Justice minister hints Magistrate Gabriella Vella shouldn't be made judge due to 'controversy' JUSTICE Minister Jonathan Attard is the target of criticism after comments he made hint- ing that Magistrate Gabriella Vella shouldn't be chosen as a judge. Attard was giving a comment to ONE News after Vella sub- mitted her name for consid- eration to be promoted. The minister told the PL media that the Judicial Appointments Committee, "must ensure that the process is not mired in con- troversy, and to ensure this it must avoid appointing people that were or still are at the cen- tre of controversies." In 2024, after it emerged that Vella's magisterial inquiry in- to the fraudulent Vitals deal recommended charges against Joseph Muscat, Attard stood beside Prime Minister Robert Abela as the latter attacked the inquiry and Vella, labelling her as part of an "establishment." Government's attack on the judiciary was condemned by several NGOs after Vella was specifically targeted by accusa- tions of "political terrorism." In a statement on Tuesday, the Nationalist Party called At- tard's comment "disgraceful." The PN condemned his com- ments, saying that they "do nothing to serve the judiciary or the justice sector, and in fact undermine the work of Malta's judges and magistrates." The opposition further stat- ed that by making those com- ments, Attard is undermining the integrity of the Judicial Ap- pointments Committee. "Such comments should not be made by anyone, least of all by the Minister responsible for justice in our country." Similarly, NGO Repubblika said that what Attard described as "controversy" was in fact "an attack by the PL on a magis- trate whose duty led her to an uncomfortable truth." Justice Minister Jonathan Attard says that the Judicial Appointments Committee should avoid appointing people at the centre of controversies. Magistrate Gabriella Vella was the inquiring magistrate in the Vitals inquiry and was accused of being part of 'an establishment' CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The prosecution explained that Satoshi had all the time in the world to reconsider his ver- sion of the relationship with his father. He only chose to change his version of events during his final interview, where he lamented that he suffered con- stant abuse at the hands of his father. The prosecution thus argued that punishment be imposed in its maximum, recommend- ing an effective imprisonment term of two years, stressing the severity of the acts. Magri also said that Satoshi faces im- mediate, automatic deporta- tion upon serving his custodial sentence. The defence argued that this late revelation clearly showed the accused's trauma and his unwillingness to discuss his traumatic experiences. De- fence lawyer Adreana Zammit emphasised the accused's dif- ficulty in expressing himself and that there is a clear need for professional psychological support. The defence suggested that a suspended sentence and a fine would be more effective than imprisonment. In fact, the de- fence also requested a psychi- atric assessment to determine the accused's mental state at the time of the crimes. Zammit further stated that the accused has no prior crim- inal record and recommend- ed that a treatment order be imposed to prevent potential reoffending, rather than solely focusing on punitive measures The case was adjourned for sentencing on 14 October at 9:00am. Inspector Eliot Magri prose- cuted. Defence lawyers Adrea- na Zammit and Marion Camill- eri represented the accused. Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia presided over the case. Alleged cat killer likened cats to women who are only pleased when men have money