Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/976374
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 2 MAY 2018 4 News TIA RELJIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 In Parliament on Monday after- noon, Nationalist MP Jason Azzo- pardi asked if it were possible that the security service and police force, who it transpired were tapping at least one of the accused before Caruana Gali- zia's murder, did not know anything of any plot to assassinate the journal- ist. He also accused police sergeant Aldo Cassar of having tipped off the three men accused of Caruana Gali- zia's murder ahead of their arrest in December. Azzopardi said Cassar worked in the police's criminal intelligence unit, where he was privy to very sensitive information. He was quoting from an article in Italian newspaper La Repub- blica that made the tip-off claim. The police denied that Cassar was privy to the men linked to the mur- der investigation and that they had already made this clear to Azzopardi when he raised the matter as a law- yer representing the Caruana Galizia family. Azzopardi alleged that Cassar made a phone call to one of the three men accused with Caruana Galizia's mur- der just before the massive police and army raid on the potato shed in Marsa last December. Jason Azzopardi alleges that a police sergeant tipped off criminals before Marsa raid Police Sergeant Aldo Cassar Malta Security Service refuted allegations that it had prior knowledge of a plot to assassinate Daphne Caruana Galizia and did nothing about it maltatoday WEDNESDAY 2 MAY 2018 Jason Azzopardi alleges that a police sergeant tipped off criminals before Marsa raid TIA RELJIC THE Labour Youth Forum (FZL) are a proud bunch, and they'll proudly tell you why. Under the current admin- istration, the country ex- perienced "unprecedented" economic growth, as well as social and environmental suc- cesses, the Forum's Secretary General Georvin Bugeja said. Speaking at the Annual Gen- eral Conference where each member took to the stand, Bugeja balanced his speech out with a number of ways the country could improve. For instance, while recognis- ing Malta's efforts in the area of cryptocurrency, he thinks more importance should be given to innovation and crea- tivity. Indeed, the idea that Mal- ta is a pioneer in the digital economy was also picked up by information officer Jake Seracino, who praised the new Blockchain and Fintech industries which have graced our shores. Maria Sara Vella earnestly announced that there is no time to reiterate the economic and financial success the cur- rent administration brought about, and indeed many of the young speakers refresh- ingly brought about a number of different issues: IVF, the environment, education. In a striking speech, Vice President Kearon Bruno deliv- ered a sober critique of the pre- vious administration and laud- ed the efforts of the current government at dealing with the difficulties it inherited. But financial officer Wayne Dimech expressed concern at the obesity rate in the coun- try, and the amount of cars on the road – issues which he said are not being addressed properly, but is nonetheless hopeful. Bernice Farrugia brought up the issue of development, and urged delegates to safeguard the agricultural sector. The same sentiment was ex- pressed by Maria Ellul, who also listed the government's various advancements in edu- cation, health, and equality. Matthew Chetcuti brought up the topic of disability; hailing the government's suc- cess at improving the lives of people with disabilities, and addressing the need for fur- ther accessibility and emo- tional inclusion. A brief f licker of the par- ty's grassroots spirit was felt across the hall when political officer Brendan Zerafa spoke of the opportunities awarded to the working class youth, and the concern that a fast- growing economy could nega- tively impact the most vulner- able. Zerafa succinctly echoed two sentiments often ex- pressed as a response to tur- moil in the country: "we are becoming victims of our suc- cess," and "others seek to di- vide us". But not all hope is lost. Far from it, Zerafa said they should be proud of who they were, and that all those seek- ing to be catalysts for change should, indeed, unite and join the movement of change. The Forum's President, Naomi Cachia, delivered a powerful message: FZL mem- bers are proud of the party, the government, and of who they are – for as long as their hearts are in the right place, no degree of intimidation will push them to stray from their collective path. tia.reljic@mediatoday.com.mt Labour youth discuss hot issues, lament lack of creativity Members of the Forum Zghazagh Laburisti noted the country's unprecedented growth but acknowledged there was room for improvement