Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/364850
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 AUGUST 2014 News 11 MIRIAM DALLI BREATHALYSER tests carried out on two Corradino inmates whom Na- tionalist MP Jason Azzopardi alleged were 'out drinking' while on commu- nity work for the Hamrun local coun- cil, "do not reflect alcohol consump- tion", according to forensic expert Mario Scerri. Controversy erupted last week when the shadow home affairs minister al- leged on Facebook that the two pris- oners had skived community work and instead were spotted at a bar drinking at the Hamrun feast. While the Ministry for Home Af- fairs denied the allegations, Azzopardi stood by his claims and in a subse- quent Facebook post, said six prison wardens were present when breatha- lyser tests carried out on the two men marked 0.10 micrograms and 0.15 mi- crograms respectively. "The results should have shown 0 micrograms," Azzopardi insisted, pushing the point that the inmates should not have been consuming any form of alcohol while on community work. But the government is resting on the opinion of forensic expert Mario Scerri to contradict Azzopardi's al- legations that the two prisoners were 'drunk' as a result of the level of alco- hol found on their breath. MaltaToday was presented with e- mail correspondence between Scerri and a spokeswoman for the Home Affairs Ministry after the latter sought advice on the matter from the forensic expert. Scerri argued that the levels regis- tered were too low to reflect alcohol consumption. In the exchange of emails, the spokeswoman asked Scerri to inter- pret the results registered by the two prisoners. "These levels are too low and do not reflect alcohol consumption. Alcohol on the breath is measured in micro- grams per 100ml," Scerri explained. On the other end of the extreme, the drink-driving limit is 35mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The ministry has reiterated that the two prisoners did not go to the Ham- run feast but were at the Tarxien lo- cal council doing community work. "Minister Manuel Mallia is committed to reform the Corradino Correctional Facility as to truly reflect a rehabilita- tion facility," the spokeswoman said. "This is not the first time that the shadow minister, to undermine gov- ernment institutions, made hasty comments without first verifying them." The spokeswoman added that Tarx- ien mayor Joseph Abela and the two prisoners had signed an affidavit de- claring that the prisoners completed their works and returned to CCF. "The prisoners categorically denied going to the feast and drinking alcohol, even when warned they could lose up to a year from their remission if caught ly- ing," the spokeswoman said. According to the PN media, one of the prisoners is serving a seven-year sentence while the second is serving a 17-year prison sentence. From time to time, prisoners are granted prison leave. Inmates' breathalyser test 'does not reflect alcohol consumption' "These levels are too low and do not reflect alcohol consumption. Alcohol on the breath is measured in micro- run feast but were at the Tarxien lo- cal council doing community work. "Minister Manuel Mallia is committed comments without first verifying them." The spokeswoman added that Tarx- JAMES DEBONO A kiosk is to be developed on the public belvedere overlooking Bu- gibba's main square and the off- shore fountain, located after the land in question was identified for this purpose by the govern- ment property division. The belvedere was constructed as part of the Bugibba promenade project undertaken by the Labour government back in 1997. The planning application was submitted in September 2013 after the government requested the relocation of a kiosk owned by the same owner in the vicinity of the water park. The permit for the 18-square metre new permanent kiosk was issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority last Fri- day. The main reason given by the case officer for recommending the approval of the new kiosk was that the Government Property Division had identified the site in question. The new kiosk will also include an area for chairs and tables cov- ered by a glass roof. The present policy guidelines on kiosks state that kiosks should be at least 500 metres from exist- ing kiosks. This minimum dis- tance was not respected in this case. But the case officer argued that this policy does not apply to this case because the kiosk is being relocated from another place. The owner had to sign a bank guarantee to ensure that the ex- isting kiosk is removed before the new kiosk is opened. The proposed kiosk makes ex- tensive use of glass to limit its negative impact on sea views. The planning gains proposed by MEPA include the introduction of three benches for the public and three refuse bins. No cooking will be allowed in the new kiosk. Public belvedere allocated to private kiosk