The government remains committed to strengthening the laws when it comes to violence against the police and public officials, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said during a meeting with the two constables who were assaulted in Hamrun at night on Saturday.
The two constables, Clive Mallia and Aidan Demicoli, were assaulted in a brawl which was captured on video by onlookers and quickly caught people’s attention on social media. The two officers were given medical assistance at Mater Dei Hospital, with one having suffered grievous injuries whilst the other had light injuries. The incident resulted in five people being arrested and taken to court on Monday. Those arrested were four men and one woman, all Maltese nationals.
Restaurant owner Elton Anthony Borg, 46 from Hamrun, and 44-year-old Kurt Borg, also a restaurant owner from Hamrun, were charged under arrest together with Erica Borg, 42, a housewife from Msida, Redeimen Aquilina, 23 from Hamrun, and Christian Mansueto, 33 from Siggiewi. They all pleaded not guilty and requested bail, which was denied.
The Ministry for Home Affairs said that the aim of strengthening laws regarding violence against public officials is that the rights of the disciplined forces continue to be strengthened and to ensure that they are respected during the performance of their duties. The Ministry continued that the government holds said rights dearly and has invested considerably in them. It continued that this is aside from the fact that the government has continued to invest in conditions and training, as well as the equipment that the disciplined forces use.
Minister Camilleri, accompanied by Deputy Police Commissioners Kenneth Haber and Sandro Gatt, said that the government will continue to support all police officers. Camilleri concluded by condemning the assault on the two constables and appealed for more respect towards the disciplined forces, and said that this should be reflected in the decisions of the court.