Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/232206
15 News Polidano appeal, far from 'game over' DEFENCE lawyers for construction magnate Charles Polidano 'ic-Caqnu' are insisting that a judgement by Mr Justice David Scicluna on an appeal filed by a lawyer who is claiming third party rights against Polidano, is only a "preliminary" one. Lucio and Michael Sciriha had told MaltaToday that the preliminary judgement only addresses two of multiple issues raised in Polidano's appeal against the MEPA action against his illegally constructed conference and events centre. On 11 December, Judge Scicluna decreed that lawyer Reuben Farrugia had a right to appear as his own parte civile advocate, in an appeal from a €100,000 fine Polidano was handed by MEPA for the demolition of rubble walls and the cutting down of protected trees in Balzan. The site in question is adjacent to Dr Farrugia's residence. Speaking to MaltaToday, the defence lawyers claimed that the decision of the Court of Appeal was only limited to a declaration on procedure. "It does not result in the proceedings before the Court, that a private lawyer who has a personal interest in the case was making his submission, but that a police inspector [was acting on his behalf] therefore the proceedings could not be annulled." The Court of Appeal adjourned Charles Polidano's case for the prosecution to submit its evidence. In his appeal, Polidano claimed he was not linked to the Balzan site in question and that he was being targeted to be made an example of. "The prosecution did not observe the most basic elementary rules of criminal procedures when it neither mentioned the name of any person on site at the time of the alleged incident, nor summoned any witnesses to confirm who their employer was or if they were the employees of the companies in question," Polidano's appeal reads. Polidano also exhibited evidence proving the property had exchanged hands and was transferred to third parties in 2006. Serb woman pleads guilty to theft maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 DECEMBER 2013 2013 Court releases Sicilian lawyer wanted by Italian police CHRIS MANGION GIOVANNI Calcaterra, 41, a law- yer from Catania, Sicily was acquitted of association with the intent to commit an offence, falsification of documents and dealing in counterfeit currency, after the court held that the alleged crimes were not proven. On 30 November, the Sicilian lawyer, who lives in Ragusa, was arrested in Malta after Malta police were tipped off by the Italian customs police, the Guardia di Finanza. Calcaterra was one of various Sicilian businessmen investigated by the Italian Fiamme Gialle over the illicit auction of property, and money laundering. During their investigations, Italian authorities found evidence that the lawyer held bank accounts with Maltese banks, where he allegedly kept the proceeds of his illegal operations. Following his arrest in Malta, the lawyer was arraigned and charged with using his position with the company Pepe Import Co. Ltd to associate with others with the intent of to falsify documents, defraud people and deal in counterfeit currency. Prosecuting inspector Ian Abdilla claimed Calcaterra had used counterfeit euro currency and used forged documents to the detriment of HSBC Malta and Bank of Valletta. The Sicilian was charged with perjury in the court of magistrates. The prosecution and the defence cion was not enough to place him under a bill of indictment. "In such cases the prosecution needs to prove the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt," Bugeja said, adding that the Maltese investigations relied almost completely on documents handed to them by their Italian counterparts. "The evidence exhibited derives from third parties, who themselves did not testify in the Maltese courts." Magistrate Bugeja ordered the discharge of Giovanni Calcaterra, as there was not enough evidence to place him under a bill of indictment. The court also ordered that all the documentation and seized items related to the case are immediately sent to the Attorney General. Tixylix Cough Syrup Batch Recall GBB:Ltd George Borg Barthet: Ltd announced today that it has been alerted by the Product Batch 2RR 1RR Expiry 01.08.2015 01.08.2015 5RR 7RR2 2VV 01.09.2015 01.09.2015 01.06.2016 10RR 2SS SERBIAN national Jelena Sto- janovic was handed a 12-month, suspended jail term after pleading guilty to the theft of a hairdryer, a digital camera and several gold items from Nejah Nasrallah. Thirty-four-year-old Stojanovic, who resides in St Paul's Bay, pleaded guilty as charged after paying back €1,000 to the victim for the as yet unrecovered stolen items. Magistrate Charmaine Galea however did not consent to a request for conditional discharge, and instead meted out a five-month jail term, suspended for 12 months. Stojanovic was said to have admitted to the charges early on in proceedings, that she co-operated with the police and that she had a clean record. agreed that, based on the evidence exhibited at court, the magistrate could decide if there was enough evidence to place the Sicilian under a bill of indictment. Police inspector Ian Abdilla informed the court that the Italian magistrate who investigated the case in Italy, could not take the witness stand in Malta before another six weeks as the Italian investigation was still underway. Abdilla also told the court that allegations of forged documents exhibited in court, had been confirmed. Magistrate Aaron Bugeja concluded that, based on the evidence exhibited during the compilation of evidence, there was a suspicion that Calcaterra was indeed involved in illegal activity. However, that suspi- George Borg Barthet Ltd on 21244 205 01.11.2015 01.12.2015